DENTON (UNT), Texas – The University of North Texas has received the 2018 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 — UNT will be featured, along with 95 other recipients, in the November 2018 issue of “INSIGHT Into Diversity” magazine.
“The HEED Award recognizes the myriad diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives across UNT and not just those facilitated by the Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity,” said Joanne G. Woodard, vice president for Institutional Equity and Diversity at UNT. “The extensive award application was a yardstick by which we can measure the university’s progress toward truly being an inclusive campus community.”
Among the university’s diversity and inclusion programs is the UNT Male Alliance for a Rigorous, Transformative and Interdisciplinary Approach to Learning (MARTIAL Eagles), an initiative designed to improve persistence and graduation rates for African-American men. Also, through the OUTfits Clothing Closet at UNT, queer and trans people can get free, gender-affirming clothing and resources. UNT’s Division of Institutional Equity and Diversity also annually recognizes units epitomizing diversity, inclusion and equity with its $5,000 Inclusive Excellence Award.
“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 accomplished every day across their campus.”
Contact: Heather Noel at 940-369-8218
Email: heather.noel@unt.edu
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