The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has been awarded the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for the year 2024. This marks the seventh consecutive year the institution has received this recognition, as reported by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The 2024 HEED Awards acknowledge 114 institutions for their commitment to diversity and inclusion in higher education. A feature on these awardees will appear in the upcoming November/December issue of the magazine.
A Comprehensive Selection Process
The selection process for the HEED Award involves a comprehensive application assessment that evaluates universities based on several criteria, including student and employee retention and recruitment, support for inclusion initiatives from leadership, and the overall campus climate.
Standards and Commitment to Diversity
Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity, stated that the standards for the award are rigorous, highlighting the necessity of integrating diversity and inclusion into the fabric of campus operations.
Ongoing Efforts for Inclusiveness
Kiwana McClung, Chief Inclusion Officer at the University, noted that continuous recognition reflects collective efforts aimed at improving access, opportunity, and success for all students. She emphasized that this ongoing acknowledgment signifies the University’s dedication to inclusiveness and fostering a sense of belonging among its student body.
Strategic Initiatives for Inclusion
Central to these initiatives is the Strategic Plan for Inclusive Excellence, which sets forth goals for promoting equity and inclusion on campus. Furthermore, Campus Climate Surveys conducted by the Office for Campus Inclusion are instrumental in gathering feedback on the experiences of students and employees, which informs policy and program development.
Programs Contributing to Recognition
McClung pointed out the importance of various programs that contribute to the University’s HEED recognition, such as the Courageous Conversations series and the Women’s Leadership Conference. Collaborative efforts with campus organizations and initiatives, including the Louisiana Educate Program, which assists lower-income students, are vital in enhancing diversity and inclusion.
A Vision for the Future
The University aims to continue recognizing and utilizing its diverse community while fostering an inclusive environment from the outset of students’ campus experience.
(Source: University of Louisiana at Lafayette)