91̽�� recognized with Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award for sixth consecutive year

A student sits in a classroom, laughing with three other students

Rich-Joseph Facun

For the sixth year in a row, 91̽�� has been awarded the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

OHIO is one of 108 colleges and universities across the country to receive this national award that recognizes an institution’s outstanding commitment to, and continued advancement of, the core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As part of this year’s recognition, OHIO will be featured in the November/December 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

“OHIO is proud to be nationally recognized with the HEED award for the sixth consecutive year – an accomplishment that wouldn’t be possible without the hard work and dedication of everyone across the University community,” said Dr. Russell Morrow, interim vice president for the Division of Diversity and Inclusion at 91̽��. “Our collective and continued commitment to making OHIO a place of inclusion and belonging is central to everything we do.”

The HEED Award recognizes 91̽�� for its continued efforts to enhance diversity and inclusion on campus, including the University’s “Make Respect Visible" initiative, an ongoing collaborative effort across the University community that, through emphasizing a culture of respect and encouraging the reduction of bias through respectful dialogue, has become a vital part of OHIO culture.

In addition to furthering its commitment to celebrating diversity through the expansion of the VISIBLE initiative, OHIO has provided increased platforms for campus listening and representation by engaging the University community in a comprehensive diversity audit. It has also partnered with the Office of the Provost to revamp the Diverse Faculty Mentoring program and streamline the process of applying for the Opportunity Hire Fund to promote the hiring of diverse faculty and staff.

The University has recently expanded the offerings of its Multicultural Center to provide OHIO’s multicultural students with a centralized location for academic support and engagement. Such efforts have enhanced and enriched OHIO’s educational pursuits and mission in lasting ways.

INSIGHT Into Diversity continues to be the leader in advancing practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, with the HEED award remaining the only national honor to recognize these institutions for their commitments to these values.

“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 – leadership support for diversity, campus culture and climate, supplier diversity, and many 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.”

OHIO strives to provide a safe and supportive environment that offers initiatives, support and programming for different constituencies, including students, staff and faculty, that enable them to feel empowered by personal experiences and professional mentorship opportunities. Some of these programs include the Diverse Faculty Mentoring Program, OHIO Men of Excellence Network (O-MEN), the Inclusive Excellence Workshop and Lecture Series, The Diversity Leadership Ambassador Program, and the Margaret Boyd Scholars Program.

Additional information about OHIO’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion is available online.

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