SIU campus entrance

September 19, 2014

SIU again earns national honor for diversity

by Tom Woolf

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- For the third year in a row, Southern Illinois University Carbondale has earned national recognition for its commitment to diversity and inclusivity. 

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine this week named SIU as a recipient of its Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award. The magazine is the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. SIU is among 83 college and universities that will be featured in the magazine’s November issue. 

“I am delighted with this recognition because it reflects the hard work, dedication and vision of our faculty and staff,” Interim Chancellor Paul Sarvela said. “Diversity and inclusivity have been core values since our university was chartered in 1869, and that is a legacy we are proud to build on.” 

INSIGHT Into Diversity honored SIU for its diversity and inclusion initiatives, which include all aspects of diversity: gender, race, ethnicity, veterans, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ community. 

“Receiving the HEED award for the third consecutive year is a significant honor for the university,” Linda McCabe Smith, associate chancellor for diversity, said. “It acknowledges our strong commitment and inspires us to continue to strive for excellence in diversity and inclusion.” 

Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity, said, “We hope the HEED award serves as a way to honor those institutions of higher education that recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion as part of their everyday campus culture.”