September 15, 2015
SIU earns national recognition for commitment to diversity
CARBONDALE, Ill. – For the fourth consecutive year, 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 91 colleges and universities that will be featured in the magazine’s November issue, and it is one of only 22 institutions to have received the award four years in a row.
“This is a significant honor for our university, because it reflects the ongoing commitment of our faculty, staff and students to making diversity and inclusivity priorities on our campus,” Linda McCabe Smith, associate chancellor for institutional diversity, said.
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.
Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity, said, “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 – continued leadership support for diversity, and other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion.”