Binghamton receives Higher Education Excellence and Distinction Award

For the sixth year in a row, Binghamton University received the 2026 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award from Insight Into Academia magazine. The HEED Award is a prestigious honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and community-building across all levels of campus life.

“I congratulate all the members of the University community who contribute to inclusion, belonging, and creating a culture of respect across campus,” said President Anne D’Alleva. “It has been clear to me since I arrived at Binghamton that these values are important to students, faculty, and staff, and that they are put into practice every day. Seeing Binghamton recognized is evidence that the Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion does tremendous work in strengthening and communicating these values.”

This is the first year Binghamton has earned a HEED Award Champion designation for its outstanding commitment to inclusion and belonging across campus. According to Insight Into Academia, HEED Award Champions exemplify an unyielding commitment to higher education excellence and belonging throughout their campus communities, across academic programs, and at the highest administrative levels.

“It is a profound honor to be recognized as a HEED Award Champion,” said Karen Jones, vice president of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “This award is a testament not only to the power of inclusive excellence but also to the collective efforts of our entire campus community. Together, we are building a future where every voice is valued, and every student has the opportunity to thrive.”

Binghamton joins a select group of 60 institutions earning a 2026 HEED Award and is one of only six SUNY institutions to earn this honor, including Stony Brook University, SUNY Old Westbury, SUNY Oneonta, Rockland Community College and University of Albany, SUNY.

“Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where academic excellence and belonging are woven into the work being done every day across their campus,” said Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher of Insight into Academia magazine, a leader in advancing best practices in higher education excellence.