UK Receives INSIGHT Into Diversity 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 18, 2019) — Today, the University of Kentucky received the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — UK will be featured in the November 2019 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the third year UK has been named as a HEED Award recipient.
“We know our campus thrives when we cultivate an inclusive community of belonging that celebrates the distinctiveness of our people," said UK President Eli Capilouto. "This award recognizes the rich tapestry of culture, race, background, ethnicity and lived experiences that fuel our efforts to do more — and be more — for our community, as the University for Kentucky.”
UK Vice President for Institutional Diversity Sonja Feist-Price said she is delighted that UK has received the HEED Award for the third consecutive year.
This award is a testament of collaborative partnerships throughout our campus community who work diligently to create a community of belonging — where all of our constituents, irrespective of identity or perspective, feel that they matter to this University and thus feel a sense of belonging," she said. "This is what makes a university great. While this University isn’t all it has the potential to be as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion, this award reflects that we’re moving in the right direction."
This recognition in consistent with the university's focus on promoting sustainable transformation around inclusion and diversity. With programs in place like the Ambassadors for Inclusive Excellence under the MLK Center and International Center, the Inclusive Health Summit within Inclusive Health Partnerships, and the Audre Lorde Living-Learning Program, a program facilitated through the Office of LGBTQ* Resources, UK strives to be a place where everyone feels welcome and has the opportunity to succeed.
“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,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. “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.”
UK has earned several accolades for diversity and inclusion efforts in the last year, including a Forbes ranking for Best Employers for Diversity, recognition as a Diversity Champion by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine and a “Best of the Best” Top 30 LGBTQ-friendly college recognition by Campus Pride.
These recognitions speak volumes to the dedication and hard work of faculty and staff across campus in their efforts to build and sustain a culture of inclusive excellence.
For more information about the 2019 HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com. For more information about UK's diversity efforts, visit uky.edu/diversity.
Other recipients of the 2019 HEED Award are:
Adelphi University
Arkansas State University
Augustana College (IL)
Ball State University
California State University, East Bay
California State University, Fresno
California State University Northridge
California State University San Marcos
California State University, Fullerton
California State University, Los Angeles
Case Western Reserve University
Central Washington University
Clemson University
Columbia University in the City of New York
Cuyahoga Community College
Davenport University
DePaul University
East Carolina University
Eastern Washington University
El Paso County Community College District
Florida State University
Framingham State University
Georgia State University
Grand Valley State University
Greenville Technical College
Hillsborough Community College
Indiana University Bloomington
Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis
Kansas State University
Kent State University
Lehigh University
Louisiana State University
Maryville University
Metropolitan State University
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Millersville University
Minnesota State Colleges and Universities
Mississippi State University
North Carolina State University
Northeast Wisconsin Technical College
Northeastern University
Ohio University
Oklahoma State University
Oregon State University
Pikes Peak Community College
Princeton University
Rochester Institute of Technology
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
Seminole State College of Florida
Sonoma County Junior College District
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
State University of New York College of Cortland
SUNY Buffalo State College
SUNY Old Westbury
Swarthmore College
Texas A&M University
Texas Christian University
Texas Tech University
The University of Alabama at Birmingham
The University of Tulsa
Union College, NY
University at Albany, State University of New York
University of Central Florida
University of Cincinnati
University of Colorado Boulder
University of Georgia
University of Houston
University of Houston Law Center
University of Houston-Downtown
University of Illinois at Chicago
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
University of Louisville
University of Maryland School of Public Health
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
University of Missouri-Kansas City
University of North Carolina at Greensboro
University of North Florida
University of North Texas
University of Pittsburgh of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education
University of South Carolina
University of South Florida
University of West Florida
University of West Georgia
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Washington State University Vancouver
West Virginia University
Western Michigan University
William & Mary
William Marsh Rice University
Winston Salem State University
About INSIGHT Into Diversity
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education today and is well-known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. In addition to its online job board, INSIGHT Into Diversity presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion across higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as profiles of best practices and exemplary programs. Readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Currently, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.