GS Inclusive Excellence efforts are being recognized
Georgia Southern has received the 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. The annual HEED Award is a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Georgia Southern joins other universities in Georgia that have received the HEED award, including the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and Emory University.
Locally, Dominique A. Quarles, Ph.D., Georgia Southern’s associate vice president for Inclusive Excellence and chief diversity officer completed a progress report for the University’s Inclusive Excellence Action Plan, in anticipation of developing a new plan in 2024 that aligns with the extension of our institutional strategic plan through 2026.
“We are excited about the progress we have achieved thus far,” Quarles said. “Our efforts over the last few years will provide an excellent foundation for the next iteration of the University’s Inclusive Excellence Action plan. We are better equipped today to make targeted investments that broaden the impact of our efforts to the entire University community and fulfill the inclusive excellence goals outlined in pillar three of our institutional strategic plan.”
In addition to the HEED award, Quarles noted other institutional recognitions that highlight how Georgia Southern creates a welcoming environment including its repeated designation as a military-friendly university, and as a First-Gen Forward institution from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA). This designation acknowledges the University’s commitment to supporting first-generation college students, who often face unique challenges in navigating the higher education landscape.
“Together we are creating a vibrant, welcoming environment for all our students, faculty, and staff,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “The work to date has helped define and further align our next steps with the fundamental principles of academic freedom, freedom of expression, and inclusive excellence.”
View Georgia Southern’s Inclusive Excellence Plan Progress Report in the MyGeorgiaSouthern portal under the “Performance Excellence” tile.
Posted in Awards and Recognition, Inclusive Excellence, Press Releases
