HCC receives INSIGHT into Diversity 2016 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award

Sep 2, 2016

Houston Community College has received the 2016 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 - HCC solidifies its position as the #1 community college among 1,905 in the nation serving students from across the globe.

For David Cross, HCC Director of Institutional Equity and Compliance, receiving this distinction for the second year in a row is recognition of the focus that every department of the institution has on diversity and inclusion.

“I am very proud because this award demonstrates that HCC has applied a strategic leadership approach to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to support student and faculty success,” said Cross.

The HEED Award considers not only achievements in equity and inclusion, but also progress made in community engagement and student programs.

“We take a holistic approach to reviewing each application in deciding who will be named a HEED Award recipient,” said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, “Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being accomplished every day across their campus.”

The HCC Diversity and Inclusion Council was established in 2010. On a continual basis, the council conducts lunch-and-learn sessions, round table discussions, training regarding diversity issues, and the promotion of various diversity initiatives led by student organizations.