UAB receives Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

Already one of only 14 colleges or universities named a Diversity Champion, UAB receives 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award.

Heed2Already one of only 14 colleges or universities named a Diversity Champion, UAB receives 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award.Today, the University of Alabama at Birmingham received the 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. UAB is also one of only 14 colleges and universities in the nation identified as a Diversity Champion by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

As a recipient of the annual HEED Award — a national honor recognizing United States colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — UAB will be featured among other recipients in the November 2019 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the third year UAB has been named as a HEED Award recipient.

“We are proud to be recognized again by INSIGHT Into Diversity,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “Our institution cherishes our Shared Values that include integrity, respect, diversity and inclusiveness. Our Student Affairs Multicultural and Diversity Programs and Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, among many other student, faculty and staff groups and initiatives, do a tremendous job in bringing these values to life.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected UAB as a HEED Award recipient for its extensive diversity and inclusion efforts.  

“Many events and resources exist to help expand UAB’s more than 22,000 students’ and 23,000 faculty and staff’s understanding and appreciation of diversity,” said Paulette Patterson Dilworth, Ph.D., UAB vice president for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “Programs offered through the Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion include: Social Justice Pathway, Critical Conversations, lecture series, educational opportunities with UAB diversity educators, Safe Zone certification and the Free Food for Thought series to address current hot topics. These are just a few of the countless ways we keep diversity at the forefront.” 

“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.”
– Lenore Pearlstein, INSIGHT Into Diversity publisher

Lenore Pearlstein is the publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

“The HEED Award process,” Pearlstein said, “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. 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.”

For more information about the 2019 HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.