Western Illinois University (WIU) has been awarded the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award by Insight Into Diversity magazine, which is recognized as the oldest and largest publication focused on diversity in higher education. This award is presented annually to U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate a significant commitment to diversity and inclusion. As part of this recognition, WIU will be featured in the November/December 2024 issue of the magazine alongside 113 other award recipients.
University’s Commitment to Diversity
Interim President Kristi Mindrup emphasized the university’s dedication to promoting diversity initiatives. She stated that this award serves to highlight the university’s efforts in creating inclusive environments, programs, and policies on campus.
Acknowledging Contributions
The award was given in acknowledgment of the contributions of various individuals and departments within WIU in fostering an equity-focused community. Carl Ervin, the Director of the JIDE program at WIU, remarked that the honor reflects the university’s ongoing initiatives to advance diversity and inclusion efforts.
HEED Award Evaluation Process
Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine, explained that the HEED Award process involves a comprehensive review of applications, evaluating factors such as student and employee recruitment and retention, leadership support for diversity, campus culture, and other elements relevant to diversity and inclusion.
Other Honored Institutions
In addition to WIU, other institutions honored with the 2024 HEED Award include various undergraduate institutions, law and graduate schools, and community colleges from across the United States.
Additional Information
Further information regarding the 2024 HEED Award can be accessed through Insight Into Diversity’s website. Additional details about Western Illinois University are available on the university’s official website.
Source: https://www.wiu.edu/news/newsrelease.php?release_id=20230