F&M Stories

F&M Receives Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

For the second year in a row, Franklin & Marshall College has received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused in higher education. The HEED Award is a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. 

“It’s an honor for the College,” said Gretchel L. Hathaway, F&M Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “We continue to strive for a diverse and inclusive campus environment where students, faculty and staff can continue learning and moving forward on issues of diversity, equity and inclusion.”

F&M’s selection for the 2023 award was based on an increase in diversity of faculty and the implementation of the IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility) certification course, among other ongoing initiatives and programming.

“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. “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 campus.”

F&M will be featured, along with 107 other recipients of the award, in the November/December 2023 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine. 

Related Articles

November 16, 2023

Young Alum Shines Light on LGTBQ Global Rights

Erin Hallenbeck’s Franklin & Marshall degree has taken her as far as the U.K. and the Netherlands. But today, the 2017 grad is making a global impact right from campus.

September 28, 2023

Future Lawyer Expands Her Resume With Hands-on Legal Experience

Morgan Hovan ’24, a math and economics major, was the first F&M student to declare the Legal Studies Certificate. Explore how this decision is helping carve her path toward a successful career in law.

September 21, 2023

Exploring Theater as a Tool for Social Change, Education, and Awareness

Aviva Katz ’24, a government and theatre joint major, discusses how F&M’s Diversity and Equality in Education Certificate is helping her along her path toward a career in educational theater.