The annual INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. In our November 2020 issue, we recognize the year’s winners by highlighting some of the most important factors assessed by the HEED Award.
Go Blue Guarantee 
Launched in 2018, the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor’s Go Blue Guarantee program makes college more affordable for Michigan families with annual incomes of $65,000 or less and assets below $50,000 by providing financial aid packages totaling, at a minimum, the cost of tuition and mandatory university fees. During fall 2019, 1,612 current students were identified as eligible and, collectively, received $19 million in institutional and federal support for that term. Overall, 93 percent of eligible in-state undergraduates received institutional aid, and 86 percent paid no tuition.
A Broad DEI Implementation Plan
This summer, University of Kentucky (UK) announced its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Implementation Plan that focuses on actionable steps in the university’s DEI efforts. A 21-member leadership team representing more than 10 colleges and units helps guide these efforts. Four advisory groups, which include faculty, staff, students, and community partners, serve to provide input, guidance, and feedback in all matters related to the plan. Additionally, six broad workstreams.— for faculty and staff, students, culture, policies and programming, facilities and finances, and research and community outreach.— will oversee the work of 17 DEI project teams, ranging from expanding professional development opportunities to creating a diversity and inclusivity master plan.
Supporting Supplier Diversity
Western Michigan University (WMU) strives to enhance successful business relationships with underrepresented, women, veteran, LGBTQ, and other diverse or disadvantaged business enterprises through the implementation of the Supplier Diversity Program. The purpose of this program is to grow opportunities for diverse businesses via engagement with diverse suppliers through networking, outreach, education, and communication. The program increases departmental awareness of supplier diversity objectives and opportunities; educates diverse suppliers on how to become a university-approved vendor; monitors and records all expenditures with diverse businesses and reports results on a quarterly basis; and more.
“This Is Me” Campaign
The “This Is Me” campaign at Cuyahoga Community College allows students and employees to specify their preferred name, personal pronouns, and gender identity as part of their individual college profile. A preferred name is the name by which a person chooses to be identified, apart from their legal name. Identifiers such as name, gender, and personal pronouns are core factors in many individuals’ sense of self. Instructors, advisers, and administrators can see these values on class rosters, advising rosters, and other administrative pages, allowing them to connect with and be more inclusive of students and employees.
Network of AdvisErs for Racial Equity 
As a part of her actions for racial equity, Grand Valley State University President Philomena V. Mantella appointed a campus-wide network of advisers to make certain the campus community shapes and commits to these values. The network also seeks to ensure Black faculty, staff, students, and alumni voices are elevated to the highest level of engagement with Mantella and all university senior leaders.
Faculty Affiliate for Student Success 
The Faculty Affiliate for Student Success at California State University, Northridge (CSUN) works with faculty and advising staff to provide leadership, guidance, planning, implementation, and support of innovative practices, policies, and initiatives that foster inclusive excellence and equitable outcomes for all students. The Affiliate and the Office of Student Success collaborate with multiple campus offices, constituencies, committees, departments, and units to form and implement practices that will lead to equitable graduation outcomes for all CSUN students.
Network of Advisers for Racial Equity 
As a part of her actions for racial equity, Grand Valley State University President Philomena V. Mantella appointed a campus-wide network of advisers to make certain the campus community shapes and commits to these values. The network also seeks to ensure Black faculty, staff, students, and alumni voices are elevated to the highest level of engagement with Mantella and all university senior leaders.
Inclusive Excellence Plan and Toolkit
Ball State University has a campus-wide plan to promote inclusive excellence. The seven colleges within the university have been charged to take the strategies and goals in the campus-level plan and create their own unit-level inclusive excellence and diversity agendas. To help make that happen, the university developed an inclusive excellence toolkit that encourages each college to take an inventory of existing efforts, analyze strengths and areas for improvement, and take action.
Title IX Discussion and Awareness
To provide the University of Cincinnati community with the latest information on the Department of Education’s new Title IX Regulations and the university’s new Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, the Office of Gender Equity & Inclusion (OGEI) launched a new series called “Mondays with Matt.” These online sessions offer attendees the opportunity to virtually meet with Matthew J. Olovson, Title IX Coordinator, Interim Executive Director of OGEI, and the Executive Director for the Office of Equal Opportunity & Access. During these sessions, participants discuss various topics surrounding harassment and discrimination.
