Drake University wins national award for diversity & inclusion

Drake University has been honored with the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, a leading diversity publication. It is the only institution in Iowa among 113 colleges nationwide to receive this prestigious recognition, which will be highlighted in the magazine’s November/December 2024 issue.

“Drake is honored to be nationally recognized with the HEED award, which is a testament to the collective work and dedication of everyone across the University community,” said Terrance Pendleton, associate provost for campus equity and inclusion at Drake University. “At Drake, we value diversity as an institutional strength and strive to be a model to the world of what a welcoming and inclusive campus can be.”

This accolade celebrates the university’s commitment to equity, evidenced by various programs like C.O.R.E. for Advancement, multicultural student organizations, and the Crew Scholars program. These initiatives, alongside the new Bulldogs Belong program, foster a sense of belonging for students and staff.

Drake is also advancing its diversity efforts by opening the Sammons Intercultural Center, the university’s first intercultural space. This center, located in Morehouse Hall, which is currently being renovated, aims to support academic and social interactions. It will provide a base for multicultural student engagement.

Recently, Drake reported its most diverse undergraduate class in 143 years, with a diversity rate of 37.4% among new students and 35.3% among first-year students, marking a significant increase from the previous year.