UMSL wins fifth Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine – UMSL Daily

UMSL was one of 101 U.S. colleges and universities to receive a 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine for demonstrating an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. (Photo by August Jennewein)

The University of MissouriSt. Louis takes pride in being one of the most culturally and ethnically diverse universities in the state of Missouri.

But members of the campus community are continually looking for new ways they can cultivate an even more inclusive environment where everyone can feel valued and thrive.

Today,INSIGHT Into Diversitymagazine recognized that ongoing work while naming UMSL one of 101 recipients of its prestigious2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award anational honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universitiesthat demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. The honorees will be featured along with the other recipients in the magazines November 2021 issue.

This marks thesecond year in a rowand fifth time overall that UMSL has received the honor after previously being recognized in2013,2014and2015. It was also the only university in Missouri to be included in this years list of awardees.

We are extremely proud to receive this recognition once again, saidTanisha Stevens, UMSLs vice chancellor for diversity, equity and inclusion. Over the years, the editors at INSIGHT into Diversity have become more selective in choosing the recipients of this award, and the reason for that is because a number of institutions are more intentional about promoting diversity and building more inclusive communities. This year, what made the award really special for us is that it is an acknowledgement of the intentional efforts weve made.

In applying for the award, Stevens noted the focus on DEI in major initiatives such as the creation and implementation of UMSLs first-ever strategic enrollment plan, which recognizes the importance of looking holistically at what is needed to recruit and retain students of diverse backgrounds. DEI also has been top of mind in discussions for the campus master plan, including a proposal to redevelop a portion of South Campus for a North St. Louis County Business and Workforce Development District that would benefit not only UMSL but residents in the surrounding community.

UMSLs application featured a pair of precollegiate programs Eyes on Diversity and the UMSLCollaborative Laboratory Internships and Mentoring Blueprint that receivedINSIGHT Into DiversitysInspiring Programs in STEM Awardslast month.

Stevens also highlighted a town hall event We Are Not a Virus: Tritons Against Anti-Asian Hate held in May,Chancellor Kristin Soboliks message to the campus community about the Juneteeth holiday, and the creation of the Chancellors Award for Inclusive Excellence to further demonstrate the universitys values when it comes to diversity and inclusion.

The UMSL community found ways to continue longstanding traditions such as the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance and programming around Black History Month, Womens History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month and LGBTQ+ History Month amid the pandemic.

I think we learned with COVID that we could have just continued to maintain, but we didnt, Stevens said. Instead, we had departments do some really amazing things.

We should be proud of how we stepped out and did some things that we may have always wanted to do but were afraid to. COVID and virtual learning really gave us the opportunity to do so.

One more new initiative is the creation of agraduate certificate program in workplace diversity, equity and inclusion. It is the brainchild of Marlo Goldstein Hode, the senior manager of strategic diversity initiatives. The noncredit program will help students become DEI advocates and leaders, work more effectively with individuals from all backgrounds and make workplaces more welcoming and inclusive.

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, saidLenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. We take a detailed 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 done every day across their campus.

Short URL: https://blogs.umsl.edu/news/?p=90741

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UMSL wins fifth Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine - UMSL Daily