On Sept. 18, the University of Kentucky received the 2019 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 — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — UK will be featured in the November 2019 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the third year UK has been named as a HEED Award recipient.
“We know our campus thrives when we cultivate an inclusive community of belonging that celebrates the distinctiveness of our people," said UK President Eli Capilouto. "This award recognizes the rich tapestry of culture, race, background, ethnicity and lived experiences that fuel our efforts to do more — and be more — for our community, as the University for Kentucky.”
UK Vice President for Institutional Diversity Sonja Feist-Price said she is delighted that UK has received the HEED Award for the third consecutive year.
"This award is a testament of collaborative partnerships throughout our campus community who work diligently to create a community of belonging — where all of our constituents, irrespective of identity or perspective, feel that they matter to this University and thus feel a sense of belonging," she said. "This is what makes a university great. While this University isn’t all it has the potential to be as it relates to diversity, equity and inclusion, this award reflects that we’re moving in the right direction."
UK has earned several accolades for diversity and inclusion efforts in the last year, including a Forbes ranking for Best Employers for Diversity, recognition as a Diversity Champion by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine and a “Best of the Best” Top 30 LGBTQ-friendly college recognition by Campus Pride.