Virginia Tech Receives HEED Award for Eighth Consecutive Year, Recognizing Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

Virginia Tech has once again been chosen as a Diversity Champion in the annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award selection. This national honor recognizes colleges and universities in the United States that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to diversity and inclusion. Virginia Tech will be featured alongside other recipients in the November/December 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

This marks the eighth consecutive year that Virginia Tech has received the HEED Award, a remarkable achievement that speaks to the university’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive campus environment. President Tim Sands expressed gratitude for the recognition and reiterated the university’s commitment to providing all students with access to enriching educational experiences that prepare them for successful careers and lives.

In addition to Virginia Tech’s overall recognition, the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine has also been chosen for the sixth consecutive year for the Health Professions Higher Education in Diversity (HEED) Award. This accolade acknowledges the school’s continued dedication to diversity and inclusion in the health professions.

Ellington Graves, interim senior associate vice provost for the Office for Inclusion and Diversity, expressed appreciation for the acknowledgment of the university’s work in promoting diversity and inclusion. Graves highlighted the collective effort of staff, faculty, students, and alumni in upholding Virginia Tech’s mission and values.

The HEED Award selection process is comprehensive and rigorous, encompassing various aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. It evaluates factors such as recruitment and retention of students and employees, leadership support for diversity, campus culture and climate, and supplier diversity. Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, emphasized the high standards employed in reviewing each application and the focus on institutions where diversity and inclusion are integral to their daily work.

Virginia Tech’s consistent recognition as a HEED Award recipient underscores its unwavering commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As the university continues to prioritize these values, it sets an example for other institutions and contributes to a more equitable and welcoming higher education landscape.

In conclusion, Virginia Tech’s consecutive HEED Award wins demonstrate the university’s dedication to diversity and inclusion. This recognition not only affirms the progress made but also serves as a catalyst for ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive campus environment.