F&M Stories

F&M Receives Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

For the third consecutive year, Franklin & Marshall College has received the 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 — F&M will be featured, along with 114 other recipients, in the November 2024 issue of the magazine.

“The work we do is a team effort at F&M, and we thank everyone who is intentionally placing diversity, inclusion, community and belonging as their priorities,” said Gretchel Hathaway, vice president for community & belonging.

The HEED Award and the Health Professions HEED Award are the only national honors recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive campus environment. 

“The HEED Award selection process is rigorous, assessing the recruitment and retention of students and faculty, pathway programs, community partnerships, leadership support for DEI initiatives and a comprehensive list of other considerations," said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher. “The winning institutions consistently demonstrate best practices and set the standards for other colleges and universities.”

The HEED Award and the Health Professions HEED Award are the only national honors recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive campus environment.


Expanded Resources

F&M recently hosted its third annual Inclusion Week Sept. 15-20. The theme, titled “Back to Basics: Engaging in Empathetic Discourse,” centered on constructive dialogue. The F&M Office of Faith & Meaning, the Klehr Center for Jewish life, the Alice Drum Women’s Center and LGBTQ+ Resource Center now report to the Office of Community & Belonging, allowing for greater collaboration and intentional programming for the College’s diverse campus community.

Campus Inclusion Week

Students and staff discuss AI ethics during campus Inclusion Week Sept. 15-20. (Photo by Deb Grove)

Related Articles

March 27, 2025

Make the Most of Your Spring Visit to F&M

When you become an F&M Diplomat, your college experience will extend beyond our campus and into the vibrant city of Lancaster. If you’re planning a visit to campus this spring, add a stop at one of our favorite spots and get a glimpse of what it’s like to call Lancaster home.

February 27, 2025

From Classroom to Published Research: Seizing Every Opportunity at F&M

Jackson Milone ’25 isn’t waiting for medical school to make his impact in the sciences — he’s already done it: He’s a co-author for two peer-reviewed papers. He volunteers for Crisis Text Line. And, he's worked with F&M Dining staff to ensure students with medical conditions have additional meal options and flexibility.

February 12, 2025

Ensuring the Success of the College That Brought Them Together

Katja Seim ’95 and John Parapatt ’95 met for the first time at F&M in 1992. More than 30 years later, the two demonstrate gratitude for the college that brought them together through philanthropy. “Our giving is motivated by a desire for other students to have the opportunities that we had, including financial support,” Parapatt said.