OSU diversity honored nationally for 4th consecutive year

Monday, September 14, 2015

For the fourth year in a row, Oklahoma State University is being recognized nationally for its commitment to diversity and inclusion with the 2015 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. The university will be featured with other colleges and universities in the publication’s November issue.

“Oklahoma State University works hard to cultivate a campus community that respects and values every member, and this fourth national award is an indicator that we’re on track in making inclusion part of our everyday culture,” said OSU President Burns Hargis. “I’m proud and excited about our progress, which supports OSU’s land-grant mission to make higher education accessible to all.”

More than 90 schools are recognized each year by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, which is the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

“The strong and visionary leadership of President Hargis has positioned OSU to continue emerging as a national leader in our commitment to the values of diversity and inclusion,” said Dr. Jason F. Kirksey, vice president for Institutional Diversity at OSU. “As a four-time recipient of the HEED Award, and the only institution in the state recognized with this nationally prestigious honor, OSU has established a standard that recognizes diversity as the expectation rather than the exception. Our goal is to continue creating opportunities and broadening our spectrum of excellence at OSU.” 

OSU’s current freshman class is 30 percent minority students, an all-time high. The university supports programs at the high school level that help students prepare to transition to the college environment. Nearly 70 diversity-related student organizations at OSU allow students to promote their heritage and become leaders.

For more information about the 2015 HEED award winners, visit www.insightintodiversity.com.