Binghamton University receives 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award
It was announced today that Binghamton University has received the 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — the University will be featured, along with 100 other recipients, in the November 2021 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
“What we, collectively, do at Binghamton University to ensure we are a welcoming, diverse and inclusive campus is a continual process,” said President Harvey Stenger. “We are dedicated to building on what we have in place so that every member of our campus community feels valued and heard. This award indicates that we are doing many things well and we will continue to work to create an equitable campus for all.”
“One of my goals since coming to Binghamton has been to showcase the work being done here, to shine a light on the University’s commitment to diversity — on what has already been done,” said Karen A. Jones, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. “Binghamton was one of the first institutions to create the vice president title, create and establish a division, as well as affirm our commitment to diversity in our Road Map strategic plan. Our commitment to diversity is, and always has been, a campus-wide effort and we have a good story to tell and receiving this award underscores our efforts.”
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Binghamton for its comprehensive efforts to become a more diverse, inclusive campus. Some highlights of the University’s initiatives are academic programs including the Binghamton Enrichment Program for its Educational Opportunity students and the Bridges to the Baccalaureate program; establishing a vice president for and Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; its excellent retention rates for underrepresented students; its efforts to recruit and retain students, faculty and staff from underrepresented populations; and its overall commitment to diversity as part of its Road Map to Premier strategic plan.
“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,” 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.”
Binghamton is joined by the University at Albany, SUNY Old Westbury and Rockland Community College to be honored with a HEED Award this year.
For more information about the 2021 HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.
About INSIGHT Into Diversity
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education today and is well-known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. In addition to its online job board, INSIGHT Into Diversity presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion across higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as profiles of best practices and exemplary programs. Readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.