Framingham State University Recognized With National Diversity Award

Framingham State University Recognized With National Diversity Award

Sep 1, 2016

For the third year in a row, Framingham State University has been recognized for its efforts to support diversity and inclusion on campus with a Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award.

The award is given by INSIGHT into Diversity, the oldest and largest diversity magazine and website in higher education today. Framingham State will be featured along with 81 other recipients nationwide in the magazine’s November 2016 issue.

Framingham State is one of only four colleges in Massachusetts to be recognized in 2016, and is the only college in the Commonwealth to be recognized for three straight years.

“We are honored to once again receive national recognition for our efforts to embrace and celebrate diversity and inclusion,” says Framingham State President F. Javier Cevallos. “While there is always more to be done, I’m proud to say the University has made significant gains in these areas in both programming and campus-wide dialogue.”  

Framingham State University believes that striving for excellence in institutional diversity and inclusion efforts requires a high quality, comprehensive approach. The University hired Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Sean Huddleston in January 2015 to lead the effort.   

Recent achievements include the establishment of Brother 2 Brother, a support group aimed at addressing the low retention rates among men of color in college through mentorship and professional development. To date, the group boasts a 100 percent graduation rate for participants.

FSU has also implemented a Faculty Inclusive Excellence Institute. The Widening the Circle Faculty Institute focuses on the area of Diversity in the Curriculum.

The HEED award is the only national recognition honoring colleges and universities that exhibit outstanding efforts and success in the area of diversity and inclusion throughout their campuses.

“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. We take a holistic approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across their campus,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

For more information about the 2016 HEED award, visit www.insightintodiversity.com.

About Framingham State University

Framingham State University was founded in 1839 as the nation’s first public university for the education of teachers. Since that time, it has evolved into a vibrant, comprehensive liberal arts institution offering small, personalized classes on a beautiful New England campus. Today, the University enrolls more than 6,000 students with 58 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences and professional fields. As a State College and University (SCU), Framingham State prides itself on quality academic programs, affordability, and commitment to access for all qualified students.