INSIGHT Into Diversity has named NC State one of only 92 recipients of the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award. Receiving the award for the fourth time, NC State will appear in the magazine’s November issue alongside other U.S. colleges and universities demonstrating an “outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.”
In response to the announcement, Chancellor Randy Woodson stated, “At NC State, we are proud to be recognized among the universities who continuously strive for inclusive excellence. We aim to ensure that our university is a model of how individuals from all backgrounds, beliefs and experiences can come together, respect, learn from and support one another for the benefit of everyone in this community and the world around us. That’s what it means to be part of the Wolfpack.”
The two other University of North Carolina institutions recognized this year were the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and East Carolina University. Past North Carolina honorees have included the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of North Carolina at Wilmington and Winston-Salem State University.
Interim Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity Sheri Schwab added, “While we are very happy to once again receive the HEED recognition, we know we must keep working to truly excel in everything we do. We must continuously seek new ways to serve and grow our diverse community of students, faculty and staff as we respond to the challenges that we face in a society that is not yet equitable for everyone — until it is, we will always have more work to do.”
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. Publisher Lenore Pearlstein states, “The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees — and best practices for both — continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. We take a detailed approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”
Curious about all of the initiatives led by the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity that contributed to this year’s HEED recognition? Read our annual report, join us at our signature events and follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Elizabeth Snively writes for the Office for Institutional Equity and Diversity.