University of Alabama at Birmingham: UAB named one of 16 Diversity Champions, again receives Excellence in Diversity Award
For the fifth consecutive year, the University of Alabama at Birmingham has been named a Diversity Champion by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. UAB is one of only 16 colleges and universities in the nation identified as a champion. The university was also one of 102 institutions to receive the 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award.
“UAB is proud to be recognized again by INSIGHT Into Diversity with both these awards, among only 16 universities nationally named a Diversity Champion,” said UAB President Ray L. Watts. “This is a testament to the outstanding efforts of our Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, as well as our entire campus, in daily promoting diversity and inclusiveness — and all of our Shared Values — as we partner for continued success in all areas of our mission.”
As a recipient of the annual HEED Award — a national honor recognizing United States colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — UAB will be featured among other recipients in the November 2022 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is UAB’s sixth HEED award, fifth consecutive, since 2016.
“Through collective intentionality, UAB strives to build a community that exemplifies our shared values and shapes a campus environment that is welcoming and inclusive,” said Paulette Patterson Dilworth, Ph.D., vice president of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. “Our efforts and initiatives such as the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Advocacy Certificate and the Faculty Search Guide and Committee Training reaffirm our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, and continue to make UAB a better place to learn, live and work.”
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected UAB as a HEED Award recipient for its extensive diversity and inclusion efforts.
“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 — continued leadership support for diversity, and 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 their campus.”
Recently, UAB announced it is a member of the National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity, which offers access to mentoring tools and support to be successful in the academy.
The NCFDD is a nationally recognized community, composed of over 450 colleges and universities. As an independent faculty development center, the NCFDD is dedicated to supporting academics in making successful transitions throughout their careers and provides monthly webinars, multi-week courses and writing challenges designed to help faculty, postdocs and graduate students thrive in the academy.