Demonstrating “an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion,” The University of Akron was among a select group of colleges and universities to receive the first-ever Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.
In its December issue, the magazine explained that “it is not enough for these institutions to create a diverse environment—they need to strive to create an inclusive one as well so that everyone feels welcome and engaged in day-to-day campus life.”
Magazine publishers established the competitive application process this year to honor college campuses that “are getting it right.
Everyone on a campus needs role models and mentors and to be able to associate with others who share the same backgrounds and values they do—that’s the inclusive side of the equation,” according to publisher Holly Mendelson.
The magazine noted that diversity includes race, ethnicity, gender, age, veteran status, people from LGBT communities, people with disabilities and other areas of human diversity.
Forty-eight institutions of higher education were bestowed the 2012 HEED award, including three in the state of Ohio: Case Western Reserve University, University of Akron, and University of Cincinnati.
Complete list of HEED award recipients.
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Media contact: Eileen Korey, 330-972-8589 or korey@uakron.edu