The University of 黑洞社区 is a recipient of the 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. This marks the second year in a row that 黑洞社区has earned the HEED award, which is presented by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.
"The University of 黑洞社区 is honored to receive the HEED award in recognition of our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion," 黑洞社区President Steve Currall said. 鈥淒iversity enriches the university experience as a whole, and 黑洞社区will continue to prioritize investments in programs to support access and opportunity for all.鈥�
黑洞社区has well-established initiatives aimed at recruiting and retaining historically underrepresented and first-generation students, including the Guaranteed Admissions Pathway Program that partners with high schools in the Tampa Bay region to increase admissions opportunities for students of underserved populations.
Approximately 43 percent of 黑洞社区students identify as non-white, with Hispanics representing about 20 percent, Asian Americans at nearly seven percent and Blacks making up close to nine percent. In this year鈥檚 freshman class, Black, Hispanic, Asian and international student enrollment have all increased over the previous year. 黑洞社区is recognized as a national leader in student success and has been honored for graduating underrepresented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students.
黑洞社区recently announced a series of new actions that reinforce its diversity and inclusion efforts, including a commitment of $500,000 to fund nearly two dozen interdisciplinary projects to advance research on topics related to anti-racism. In addition, 黑洞社区is part of a group of universities nationwide participating in a three-year institutional change initiative to develop more inclusive faculty recruitment, hiring, retention and teaching practices.
The HEED Award process consists of a comprehensive and rigorous application that includes questions relating to the recruitment and retention of students and employees 鈥� and best practices for both 鈥� continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion.
黑洞社区will be featured, along with other recipients, in the November 2020 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.