Ohio University recognized for national excellence in diversity for second consecutive year

Ohio University has received the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine, the second year in a row it has attained the honor.

OHIO and 94 other recipients will be featured in the November 2019 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. The HEED Award is presented to U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

“It’s an honor for Ohio University’s long-standing commitment to embracing diversity and inclusion to be recognized again by INSIGHT Into Diversity,” Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Gigi Secuban said. “We remain steadfast in our efforts to ensure that every student, faculty member, staff member, alumnus and community member feels safe and welcomed on all of our campuses and can get the support they need to be successful.”

OHIO was selected for the HEED Award for the broad array of initiatives on campus designed to help students know they have a place at Ohio University. These include programs like the Diversity Leadership Ambassador Program and the Diverse Junior Faculty Mentoring Program, programming that highlights the voices of people of diverse backgrounds, including gender, race, LGBTQ+ identity or religious and spiritual beliefs, and many other issues.

Specific events that have supported the programming of Diversity and Inclusion on OHIO’s campus included the weeklong Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration that honored the life and legacy of MLK through events that highlight equality and social justice issues. It also included a school supply drive, poster contest, silent march and brunch, a teach-in, open mic night and a day of service.

OHIO has even implemented several academic programs promoting inclusion such as the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Inclusion scholarship program where students are awarded a $3,000 scholarship and in turn contribute to research, program planning and execution, and the facilitation of College-wide dialogue regarding issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.  There are also collaborations across campus that are bringing narratives and workshops alive that respond to racism, social medicine and women’s problems.

“Every student, faculty member and staff member at Ohio University brings intrinsic value to our campus community,” Ohio University President M. Duane Nellis said. “By respecting the unique individuality of each person at OHIO, we better prepare our students for success in an increasingly diverse, global economy. This award recognizes our successes in this important strategic area.”

More information about Ohio University’s commitment to diversity and inclusion can be found here.