Hope College earns a “three-peat” Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award

Hope College is one of 112 recipients of INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, marking the third year in a row the college has earned the recognition. The winners of the award are chosen based on the magazine’s review of criteria including each campus’ commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.

According to an article on Hope College’s website, Lenore Pearlstein, who is the editor of INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine, explained the publication’s review process and how the award winners are determined. Pearlstein is quoted as saying, “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. 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.”

Hope College has myriad programs and initiatives on campus that have likely contributed to the school’s award recognition, including its “Hope Forward” pilot program to fully fund student education, the Hope-Western Prison Education Program, Steps2Success, which aims to provide support and community for students from diverse backgrounds, and numerous student organizations and clubs. Additionally, the school focuses on DEI practices within its ranks of faculty by having awards, teams, and organizations like a Staff Advisory Group, the Campus Ministries Social Justice Team, and a Multicultural Recruitment Team.

Sharing her enthusiasm for the school’s third consecutive win, Dr. Sonja Trent-Brown, the school’s vice president for culture and inclusive excellence, was quoted as saying, “This is very exciting. A Hope College three-peat! To be recognized with the HEED Award for the third consecutive year is a testament to the continued efforts and engagement of Hope students, staff, and faculty in creating a faithful, welcoming, and transformational campus community, aligned with Hope’s Christian Aspirations. The opportunity to learn and grow alongside our talented students and our expert faculty and staff colleagues is a blessing. Each person’s contribution to the Hope community is a gift to us all.”

Hope College, along with the other HEED Award winners, will be featured in the November/December 2024 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

For more information about Hope College, visit the school’s website.