UWF receives 6th national excellence in diversity award
The University of West Florida has been awarded the 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity, or HEED, Award from INSIGHT into Diversity magazine for the fourth consecutive year and sixth time overall.
“Inclusive excellence is truly a priority at UWF. We are honored that our efforts have been recognized with the HEED award for another year,” said UWF President Martha D. Saunders. “Our campus community values inclusive excellence and works together to provide a welcoming environment.”
The HEED award recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. UWF will be featured alongside 100 other HEED Award recipients in the October 2021 issue of INSIGHT into Diversity magazine.
The UWF Office of Equity and Diversity supports a culture of inclusive excellence on campus and in our greater community by providing educational and personal support through sustainable programming, training opportunities and awareness initiatives.
“The Office of Equity and Diversity strives to create an inclusive environment by engaging students with innovative programming and robust resources,” said Dr. Kim LeDuff, vice president for the Division of Academic Engagement and Student Affairs and chief diversity officer. “We are grateful for this award which recognizes our work even though we know there is much more that can and will be done.”
The University recently appointed Kendra Riley as deputy chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator, responsible for overseeing the University’s compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 as well as other laws relating to discrimination based on sex or gender. Riley also supports the development and oversight of short-term and long-range diversity planning in alignment with the University’s Diversity Plan.
UWF promotes and celebrates diversity year-round by providing events, initiatives and student involvement opportunities to a variety of identity-based organizations. Other UWF events, initiatives and support opportunities recognized by HEED include:
- Trailblazer Awards
- Cross-Cultural Competency Online Course
- LGBTQIA+ Resources and Counseling
- Disability Awareness Month co-hosted by Student Accessibility Resources & Human Resources
- MLK Day of Service co-hosted by Student Involvement
To learn more about the HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com. For more information about diversity and efforts towards inclusive excellence at UWF, visit uwf.edu/inclusion.
