Mines wins Insight Into Diversity 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

Colorado School of Mines has received the 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

As a recipient of the annual HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — Mines will be featured, along with 102 other recipients, in the November 2022 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

“The HEED Award, and the national recognition associated with it, is validation of the efforts by so many in our community to achieve our goal of being a Top-of-Mind and First-Choice university for students and employees from all backgrounds," said Mines President Paul C. Johnson. “It also reflects Mines’ deep commitment to supporting the success of all members of our community. We’re proud of our progress and looking forward to seeing the continued impact of the many initiatives taking place across Mines.”

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Mines partly due to the following accomplishments:

• Mines was awarded $200,000 from the Newmont Corporation for two projects: STEM Equity Fellows, to develop curriculum to increase inclusive teaching across Mines courses; and Strategies Promoting Undergraduate Retention (SPUR), to investigate factors that affect BIPOC student retention and identify solutions.
• The Associate in Engineering Science degree program, a new partnership between Mines and the Colorado Community College System that allows for a smoother transfer process from community colleges to Mines, increasing access to the institution.
• Student Life leadership, as part of the Diversity, Inclusion & Access strategic vision, created and hired a new role of Assistant Vice President of Student Life for Equity and Engagement in FY22. 

“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 — leadership support for diversity, campus culture and climate, supplier diversity, and many other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion,” said Lenore 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.”

For more information about the 2022 HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com.