WMU wins national higher ed diversity award for third time

KALAMAZOO, Mich.—For the third consecutive year, Western Michigan University has been recognized for the breadth of its work in building an inclusive campus environment by INSIGHT into Diversity, the nation's oldest and largest publication that focuses on diversity in higher education.

Magazine staff announced Sept. 15 that WMU is the winner of a 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity—HEED—Award, making this the third year in a row the University has received the award that recognizes U.S. colleges and universities "that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion."

WMU will be featured along with 91 other college and university recipients in the magazine's November 2015 issue. In Michigan, only WMU and the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business have earned 2015 honors.

A core value

"Being a diverse and inclusive campus is a core value for Western Michigan University, and we recognize that institutional diversity is the work of the entire campus community," says Dr. Martha Warfield, WMU vice president for diversity and inclusion. "We are all responsible for building a community that yields successes and triumphs. We each have our roles and duties, but we are one University and we're better together. We're also delighted that INSIGHT Into Diversity has recognized us—again—for our commitment to creating a learning environment that is diverse in every sense of the term."

"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," says Lenore Pearlstein, magazine publisher.

The magazine staff, Pearlstein says, takes a holistic approach to reviewing each application and deciding which schools will be named HEED Award recipients. Selection for the award reflects an institution's ability to meet the magazine's high standards and demonstrate that diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across the campus."

For more information and a complete list of 2015 honorees, visit insightintodiversity.com.

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