Indiana University has worked diligently to build a university where people from all backgrounds, especially those traditionally underserved and underrepresented in higher education, are given the tools and support to thrive throughout their college endeavors. This commitment has again been recognized by INSIGHT Into Diversity, the country’s largest, oldest and most respected national diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.
This year, the magazine honored two Indiana University campuses—IU Indianapolis and IU Bloomington—with the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award.
This is the 13th consecutive time IU Indianapolis has received the award and the 10th consecutive year for IU Bloomington. In addition, IU Bloomington has been recognized with the Diversity Champion Award for the eighth consecutive year.
“We are again extremely proud of this honor and the work that it reflects,” says Rashad Nelms, interim vice president for the Office of the Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “From providing initiatives, programs and outreach to student recruitment, retention and completion efforts to hiring practices for faculty and staff, our goal is to inspire, encourage and empower current and future generations of students for success,” Nelms says. “This honor affirms that we are on the right track.”
The INSIGHT Into Diversity HEED Award is open to all colleges and universities across the United and Canada. Applications are comprehensive, covering multiple aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. The HEED Award is the only national award that honors individual institutions for being outstanding examples of universities committed to making diversity and inclusion a top priority across their campuses.
Diversity Champion awardees exemplify an unyielding commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout their campus communities, across academic programs, and at the highest administrative levels. A limited number of colleges and universities across the nation are selected for this honor.
“The HEED Award selection process is rigorous, assessing the recruitment and retention of students and faculty, pathway programs, community partnerships, leadership support for DEI initiatives and a comprehensive list of other considerations,” says Holly Mendelson, INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine publisher. “IU Bloomington and IU Indianapolis continue to raise the bar when it comes to their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.”
IU Bloomington
Several programs and initiatives underscore IU Bloomington’s inclusion in this year’s HEED and Diversity Champion recognition, including:
- Jewish Culture Center: Indiana University is one of only a few higher education institutions in the country that established a Jewish Culture Center. Created in the spring of 2022, the center provides events, activities and cultural and social programming opportunities to Jewish students, faculty and staff. The center is also open to anyone wanting to learn more about Jewish culture, heritage and traditions. The recent launch of a business leadership component expanded the reach of the Jewish Culture Center, creating an opportunity for Jewish business students to learn from and network with some of the leading Jewish business executives in the country.
- DEI Leadership Certification Program: Launched in the spring of 2023, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Certification Program is a comprehensive and academically grounded training program with expert-led classes that help participants become better leaders, managers and allies for today’s workplace. The 10-week, five-unit program combines in-person and online instruction, with nearly 400 individuals from higher education, not-for-profit organizations and corporations completing the program.
- I Can Persist (ICP) STEM Initiative: “I Can Persist” is a mentorship-based STEM initiative launched by the College of Arts and Sciences for women and girls to promote STEM awareness and academic and career persistence. Program scholars enroll in a one-credit course that meets weekly during the semester to teach STEM professional development skills.
“There are so many individuals responsible for this work and go above and beyond every day to ensure our campus is a welcoming and inclusive place to learn and work,” says Rahul Shrivastav, IU Bloomington provost and executive vice president.”
IU Indianapolis
With its strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, IU Indianapolis is one of only a handful of universities nationwide to be recognized with the HEED Award every year since its creation in 2012. Several stand-out initiatives highlight IU Indianapolis’ recognition, including:
- Seamless Admission Process: A new initiative makes it easier for Indianapolis Public Schools students to enroll at Indiana University Indianapolis by automatically admitting those with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Instead of students having to apply, provide their high school transcripts, and pay an application fee, qualifying students are automatically admitted after filling out a short online form. As a result of this program, IU Indianapolis doubled its enrolled students from IPS this fall.
- Advocate for Equity in Accessibility Award: Each year, IU Indianapolis honors faculty and staff who go above and beyond in their service to and in support of students with disabilities with the Advocate for Equity in Accessibility Award. Recipients of this honor take multiple measures to ensure that all students can and do participate more fully in campus activities. In addition to presenting each winner with a plaque during the Annual Diversity Reception on October 10, 2024, recipients’ names are added to the Advocates for Equity in Accessibility Awards wall plaque in Taylor Hall where their commitment to students with disabilities can be honored for years to come.
- AES Inaugural Campus-Wide Disability Awareness Month 2024: As part of its work to ensure disabled students/students with disabilities have equitable access and opportunities to pursue an education at IU Indianapolis, staff members with the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion’s Office of Accessible Educational Services (AES) meticulously plan a month-long celebration that includes a kick-off luncheon and keynote speaker, games, tabling, panelists, information sessions, alternative media-technology demonstrations, equity stories and a mini-resource fair.
“As a 13-time HEED honoree, we are incredibly proud of the culture of inclusion that we foster across the IU Indianapolis campus,” says Latha Ramchand, chancellor of IU Indianapolis. “Educating students in an environment where respect, civility and open dialogue guide our interactions enables us to prepare our graduates to thrive in an increasingly global workforce.”
Karen Dace, vice chancellor for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at IU Indianapolis, echoes those sentiments, adding:
“Universities are more than just academic institutions; they are vibrant communities where all students should feel safe, supported and valued. Our goal at IU Indianapolis is to champion diversity and inclusion and to be the kind of institution where all students possess diverse learning experiences.”