The University of Houston has long been viewed as a microcosm of the multicultural metropolis in which it resides. Just as Houston is consistently ranked as one of the nation’s most ethnically diverse cities, UH is known for its culturally inclusive campus.
So much so, the University and two of its colleges are again recipients of Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Awards.
Presented annually by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the HEED Awards recognize institutions of higher education for their support of programming that is culturally rich and welcoming to learners from all walks of life. This year, UH and the UH Law Center received their eighth HEED Awards while the Andy and Barbara Gessner College of Nursing was honored a seventh time with a Health Professions HEED Award.
“Diversity truly fuels academic excellence on our campus,” said UH Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Diane Z. Chase. “Earning these HEED Awards further demonstrates UH’s efforts to provide students with meaningful higher education experiences that allow them to not only learn from world-class faculty but from each other.”
The University hosts a range of centers, academic programs, events and student organizations and initiatives that address the needs of underserved populations but remain open and accessible to all members of the campus community.
For colleges such as the Andy and Barbara College of Nursing and UH Law Center, the award is particularly significant as they both prepare students to address the needs of communities in Houston and beyond.
“The Andy and Barbara Gessner College at the University of Houston is honored to receive the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award this year,” said Kathryn M. Tart, the college’s founding dean. “We know that to be successful as clinical nurse experts and nurse leaders we must reflect the community in which we serve. It is about compassionate and quality health care. We are grateful to have received this prestigious national award for seven years and to be part of the University of Houston's recognition."
UH Law Center Dean Leonard Baynes shares her enthusiasm for his college’s recognition by INSIGHT Into Diversity.
“I am overwhelmed with pride as our institution earns this award for the eighth consecutive year,” he said. “It is a testament to our school's unwavering dedication to cultivating an environment where our faculty, staff, and students are not only supported but also encouraged to succeed.”
The HEED Awards and the Health Professions HEED Awards are the only national honors recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive campus environment.
HEED Award recipients will be featured in the November/December edition of INSIGHT Into Diversity. Details on the award and other recipients are available on the publication’s website.
-Story by Mike Emery (memery@central.uh.edu)