The State University of New York at Old Westbury has been named a recipient of the 2021 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 — SUNY Old Westbury will be featured, along with 100 other recipients, in the November 2021 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This marks the fourth consecutive year the College has been named as a HEED Award recipient.
"We are grateful to Insight Into Diversity for honoring our College once again," said College President Timothy E. Sams. "As it has been since our founding more than 50 years ago, SUNY Old Westbury's mission continues to include cultivating an inclusive campus environment that fosters diversity in culture, thought and deed. We also understand that there is much more work to do. Enhancing diversity and inclusion on our campus and in our community requires an ongoing, sustained effort. We are committed to putting forth that effort."
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected SUNY Old Westbury for its innovative diversity programming and educational support. Among the programs that earned the College attention this year were its TRIO Student Support program, Virtual Student Engagement Coaches initiative, and the work of faculty-led Promote Anti-Racism Initiatives This Year committee.
“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 done every day across their campus.”