For the fourth consecutive year, Case Western Reserve University has received national recognition for its diversity and inclusion initiatives and achievements. The university received the 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from the national magazine Insight Into Diversity.
The magazine has recognized Case Western Reserve for its diversity work each year since the inception of the HEED award in 2012. This year, the university is one of 92 colleges and universities nationally to receive the award.
HEED recipients will be highlighted in the magazine’s November issue, and on Oct. 6, magazine publisher Lenore Pearlstein will be on campus to present the HEED award to President Barbara R. Snyder. The award presentation will be held at this year’s kick-off event for Case Western Reserve’s “Power of Diversity Lecture Series,” featuring award-winning journalist and NPR host Maria Hinojosa.
Institutions receiving the award are chosen based on their commitment to diversity and inclusion, exemplary diversity initiatives and for their inclusion of all aspects of diversity in their programming, including issues related to gender, race, religion, ethnicity, the LGBT community and those with disabilities.
“Case Western Reserve University is committed to advancing diversity across campus,” said Marilyn S. Mobley, vice president for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity. “We are honored to be recognized for the fourth year for our commitment, accomplishments, and array of inclusion and diversity programs and initiatives.”
CWRU’s application for the award highlighted the success of the Sustained Dialogue program, which provides a safe space for faculty, staff and students to meet weekly to engage in critical conversations around diversity and inclusion.
The application also highlighted Diversity 360, a new campuswide, comprehensive diversity education program that was piloted last semester and launched in August. The President’s Council and incoming students and faculty already have completed the program, and the university’s Board of Trustees participated in the program at its recent meeting. In the next several months, the program will be made available to departments, offices and various campus groups.
Diversity 360 is jointly operated by the Office for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity and the Office of Multicultural Affairs, which has provided the program to incoming students as well as student leaders.
The university’s HEED application also highlighted the various programs CWRU schools and colleges use to recruit and retain students and faculty of color.
The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application, which includes questions related to recruitment and retention efforts and initiatives targeted at various campus constituents.
For a complete list of HEED winners and more information about the award, visit insightintodiversity.com.