The University of Tulsa is honored to receive the 2022 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, which recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion, TU will be featured, along with 102 other recipients, in the November 2022 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.
“At TU, we work to grow and support the diversity of our students, faculty and staff,” said TU President Brad Carson. “People from all backgrounds and identities are welcome to learn, work and visit with us. I am proud of our continuing efforts to ensure that diversity and equity are woven fully into tapestry of our academic and social life.”
Throughout the year, TU extends its discussion of diversity outside of the classroom and general work environment through organized educational and social events. For example, in March 2022, the Office for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion hosted its first DEI Week – a series of events aimed at getting the general campus community involved in DEI conversations. These events ranged from informal Coffee and Conversation chats with diverse community leaders to an inaugural DEI Awards Banquet to commend students, faculty, staff and alumni who show a particular devotion to DEI work.
“For our university to receive the HEED award for the sixth year in a row is a truly humbling experience,” said Kelli McLoud-Schingen, vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion. “We are honored to be recognized for our commitment to these important principles and for providing a deep sense of belonging for our students, faculty and staff. We also realize that this is an unending journey, so we continually strive to level up our efforts, expand our reach and lead with intention as we traverse the road to inclusion.”
The Office for DEI hosts a monthly Cultural Connections meeting, which serves as a safe place for the leaders of diverse/multicultural organizations to gather and seek advice on any problems their group may face. The aim of this program is to amplify the voices of diverse student leaders and bring their challenges and successes to the necessary offices on campus, all in an effort to improve the student experience and increase student retention. To complement the Office for DEI’s programs, TU’s diverse student organizations are some of the most active on campus, hosting highly attended collaborative events, such as the International Extravaganza and 2SLGBTQ+ Pride Week.
“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 — leadership support for diversity, campus culture and climate, supplier diversity, and many 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.”
Other recipients of the 2022 HEED Award are:
Adelphi University, Agnes Scott College, Arkansas State University, Augustana College (IL), Ball State University, Berklee College of Music, Binghamton University, Broward College, California State University Los Angeles, California State University San Marcos, California State University, Fresno, Case Western Reserve University, Clemson University, Colorado School of Mines, Columbia University in the City of New York, Cuyahoga Community College, Davenport University, East Carolina University, El Paso County Community College District, Emory University, Farmingdale State College, Florida Atlantic University, Florida State University, Franklin & Marshall College, Georgia Institute of Technology, Greeneville Technical College, Hope College, Hudson County Community College, Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Indiana University Bloomington, James Madison University, Johns Hopkins University, Kansas State University, Kent State University, Lehigh University, Miami University, Millersville University, Mississippi State University, Mount Holyoke College, Northern Illinois University, Northwestern University, Ohio University, Oklahoma State University, Oregon State University, Portland State University, Princeton University , Regis College, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rockland Community College, Rowan University, Saginaw Valley State University, San Diego State University, Santa Clara University, Smith College, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Southern Illinois University System, Southwestern Law School, Stetson University College of Law, Suffolk University, SUNY Old Westbury, Swarthmore College, Temple University, Texas A & M University, Texas A & M University – San Antonio, Texas Christian University, Texas Tech University, The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama at Birmingham, The University of Texas at Arlington, The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Towson University, Tulane University, University at Albany, University of California, Berkeley, University of Central Florida, University of Cincinnati, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Houston, University of Houston Law Center, University of Illinois Chicago, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Kentucky, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Louisville, University of Massachusetts Lowell, University of Missouri – St. Louis, University of North Carolina Charlotte, University of North Carolina Greensboro, University of North Florida, University of North Texas, University of Oklahoma, University of Oregon, University of Pittsburgh, University of South Florida, University of West Florida, Virginia Commonwealth University, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, Widener University, and William & Mary.
For more information about the 2022 HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.