For the third year in a row, the University of Georgia has received national recognition for its efforts to foster an inclusive, diverse campus. UGA is one of 83 recipients of the 2016 INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award, the only designation of its kind awarded to institutions that demonstrate outstanding efforts and success in promoting diversity and inclusion throughout their campuses.

“It is a great honor for the University of Georgia to be recognized with the HEED Award for the third consecutive year,” said President Jere W. Morehead. “UGA is strengthened by the contributions of its diverse and outstanding students, faculty and staff. We are committed to fostering the kind of inclusive academic environment that is a hallmark of a leading public university.”

UGA, which first received the recognition in 2014, has implemented several initiatives over the past decade to recruit diverse students, faculty and staff and to improve the graduation rates of underrepresented groups.

Recent initiatives designed to support diversity include the opening of a Student Veterans Resource Center in 2013 and the launch of the Women’s Leadership Initiative in 2015. Destination Dawgs, a new inclusive post-secondary education program for students with intellectual or developmental disabilities, is set to begin in spring 2017.

Overall minority enrollment has increased from 22 percent in 2004 to 29 percent in 2016. UGA’s six-year graduation rate for African-American students is 87 percent — more than double the national average, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The graduation rate of 80 percent for Hispanic students also far exceeds the national average.

“The diverse experiences and perspectives that our students, faculty and staff bring to our campuses help create an outstanding learning environment that prepares all of our students for success in the 21st century global economy,” said Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Pamela Whitten.

Original article was written by Camie Williams and can be found on the University of Georgia website.