Old Dominion Honored for its Diversity Efforts
October 09, 2018
President John R. Broderick
By Joe Garvey
Old Dominion University recently 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 — ODU will be featured, along with 95 other recipients, in the November issue of the magazine. Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth and William & Mary were also among the honorees.
"This award is further recognition of our commitment to inclusive excellence," ODU President John R. Broderick said. "Old Dominion University fosters a welcoming community for learning, where we all benefit from the exchange of a variety of thoughts and perspectives. In addition to the quality of education and affordability, many of our students tell us our commitment to diversity played a significant factor in their decision to attend Old Dominion."
"We are so proud to receive this national honor because this elite recognition represents the intentional and focused work of our entire campus community," added Janice Underwood, director for diversity initiatives in the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity.
In selecting ODU, themagazine highlighted the University's proactive activities and strategic efforts to ensure diversity among its students, faculty, staff and administrators. As part of that effort, in 2014 ODU created an Inclusive Excellence Framework (IEF) to guide diversity activities. The IEF includes four major goals with objectives, action items and corresponding measures. The development of the IEF, which was rigorously evaluated in the summer of 2018, was created by a team of faculty, administrators, staff and students and is carried out by the work of President Broderick's Task Force on Inclusive Excellence, as well as by other campus partners.
"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. "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."
For more information about the 2018 HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.
