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Metropolitan State University receives ‘Insight Into Diversity’ 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

Saint Paul, Minnesota—Today, Metropolitan State University received the 2019 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 — Metropolitan State will be featured, along with 93 other recipients, in the November 2019 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

“As a federally-recognized Minority-Serving Institution, Metropolitan State is honored to be recognized by Insight Into Diversity with the 2019 HEED Award,” says President Virginia Arthur.  “We are deeply committed to creating a teaching and working environment that fosters professional excellence through inclusion. We are motivated to redouble our efforts in this work by the evidence of our diverse students’ flourishing on campus and their social mobility following graduation.”

This is the third year Metropolitan State has been named as a HEED Award recipient.

“During the past three years, Metropolitan State University has examined and applied the elements of the HEED Award application and compared the elements to our current practices, policies and initiatives in order to learn how we can improve,” says Craig Morris, Chief Diversity Officer for Metropolitan State. “The effect of this work while applying for recognition of the award is that it provides the opportunity for self-study as compared to those elements predicated on national best practices. We are extremely fortunate, but not surprisingly even the work and efforts of each institutional member to help us become better to realize our mission and vision as we continue to improve our commitments to inclusion and equity.”

“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,” says 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 2019 HEED Award, visit insightintodiversity.com

About INSIGHT Into Diversity

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the oldest and largest diversity publication in higher education today and is well-known for its annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, the only award recognizing colleges and universities for outstanding diversity and inclusion efforts across their campuses. In addition to its online job board, INSIGHT Into Diversity presents timely, thought-provoking news and feature stories on matters of diversity and inclusion across higher education and beyond. Articles include interviews with innovators and experts, as well as profiles of best practices and exemplary programs. Readers will also discover career opportunities that connect job seekers with institutions and businesses that embrace a diverse and inclusive workforce. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at insightintodiversity.com.

Metropolitan State University, a member of Minnesota State, is the Twin Cities public, urban, comprehensive state university providing lifelong learning, and competitive academic and professional degree programs at the bachelor, master and doctoral level.

For media inquiries

Laura Lindahl
Director of Marketing and Communications
laura.lindahl@metrostate.edu