Stockton University receives fourth national award for diversity and inclusion efforts

GALLOWAY - Stockton University has been awarded its fourth national Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT into Diversity Magazine.

The award recognizes the diversity and inclusion efforts by the university who previously received the accolade in 2016, 2017 and 2018. 

“The fact that this is our fourth award is a tribute to the ongoing, campus-wide commitment of university faculty, staff and students,” said President Harvey Kesselman.

Among the accomplishments by the university acknowledged in the award include:

• The Board of Trustees passed a resolution on Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice, that named Stockton to be a leader in social justice leaders. 
• The establishment of the Race and Racism Education course requirement for all students to ensure crucial issues are incorporated in all programs. 
• The formation of an Office of Academic Achievement Programs in the Division of Student Affairs to build on retention of Black and Latinx students. 
• The Student Senate created a Senate Diversity and Inclusion Committee that focuses on supporting diverse student groups at the university and ensuring their voices are heard. 
• A new Multicultural Center set to open in spring 2022.
• Development and Alumni Relations established the Alumni Conference on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in part with alumni and others on campus to host virtual discussions on critical topics that Stockton and higher education is facing. 

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Stockton Chief Officer for Diversity and Inclusion Valerie Hayes said the application process and subsequent award serves not just as acknowledgement for the work at the school, but also an opportunity to learn what other universities are doing.

“We learn from each other,” she said.

The HEED award is the only national award that recognizes American colleges and universities that demonstrate a superior commitment to diversity and inclusion across their campus. This year 101 honorees chosen from more than 300 applications will be featured in the upcoming November issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity.

“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 — as well as 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 done every day across campus.”