Fresno State received the 2018 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, one of the oldest and largest diversity-focused publications 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 — Fresno State will be featured, along with 95 other recipients, in the November issue of the magazine.
This is the fifth time Fresno State has received this honor. Fresno State is one of six California State University campuses to be recognized: others are East Bay, Fullerton, Los Angeles, Northridge and San Marcos.
“We are honored to have received this prestigious distinction each of the past five years,” said Fresno State President Joseph I. Castro. “We take pride in celebrating our differences and commonalities so that all members of our campus community feel valued and connected to the University’s mission.”
The President’s Commission on Human Relations and Equity at Fresno State, established by former President John D. Welty, launched A Strategic Plan for Inclusion, Respect and Equity (ASPIRE) in 2013. Since then, the commission has hosted annual events and initiatives, including the upcoming Forum for Inclusion, Respect and Equity on Oct. 3 and 4.
Through the Cross Cultural and Gender Center, the University also offers programming each spring during Diversity Awareness Week in April, celebrating cultural diversity on campus and in the community.
“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 accomplished every day across their campus.”
