University honored with HEED Award for commitment to diversity and inclusion

The University of Pittsburgh has been awarded the 2018 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight into Diversity magazine.

The honor, which was announced in the magazine's November edition, recognizes higher education institutions that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Pitt was one of only two institutions in the commonwealth chosen for the honor; the other was Millersville University in Central Pennsylvania. It is the second year in a row that Pitt has made the list.

“The HEED application process was an opportunity to rigorously assess our practices on an institutional level, and to receive the award is a wonderful recognition of the work of so many people across the University, both those engaged in longstanding programs and those creating new initiatives,” Pam Connelly, vice chancellor of diversity and inclusion, said in a news release. “Because the challenges surrounding diversity and inclusion clearly persist, this award will serve as a motivator to continue our progress.”

The extensive questionnaire for the award application included the percentage breakdown by race and gender for faculty, students, administration and governing boards. It also asked how many people self-identify as LGBTQ, as veterans or as having a disability.

The application also looks at recruiting and retention of underrepresented students and faculty, graduation rates by ethnicity, strategies to ensure diversity planning and accountability, training available on diversity issues, and more.

Learn more about the HEED Award.