Trinity College Recognized for its Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

For its commitment to diversity and inclusion, Trinity College received the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

This is the second consecutive year Trinity has been named as a HEED Award recipient. The College will be featured along with 113 other recipients in the November/December 2024 issue of the magazine.

“Trinity’s continued achievement underscores the institutional commitment to the core values of diversity and inclusion,” said Trinity President Joanne Berger-Sweeney. “I’m extremely grateful for the effort that so many have given to champion this work. No single office or person could bring about our advancement in this area. I celebrate this recognition as a demonstration of collaboration across the College.”

The Office of DEI works collaboratively with partners across campus to ensure that all members of the Trinity College community feel included and have the resources and support they need to thrive, said Anita Davis, vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is composed of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, the Queer Resource Center, the Women and Gender Resource Action Center, the Office of Title IX, and DEI Campus and Community Engagement.

“This award offers a reflection of how our efforts have contributed to the life of the College,” said Davis.

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, according to 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 done every day across their campus,” said Pearlstein.

Last year, the office organized more than 200 events with more than 70 collaborating partners and more than 7,500 participants. The office is also responsible for the Faculty Fellows Program and the Student Emergency and Equity Fund that has removed a wide range of financial barriers for hundreds of students since its inception.

Other New England colleges and universities recognized with the 2024 HEED Award includes Brown University, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College.