Թϱ

Թϱ

Newsroom

Թϱ earns national recognition for excellence in diversity and inclusion

A photograph of the main entrance of the Թϱ Tampa campus

The Թϱ is a recipient of the 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. This marks the second year in a row that Թϱhas earned the HEED award, which is presented by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

"The Թϱ is honored to receive the HEED award in recognition of our deep commitment to diversity and inclusion," ԹϱPresident Steve Currall said. “Diversity enriches the university experience as a whole, and Թϱwill continue to prioritize investments in programs to support access and opportunity for all.”

Թϱhas well-established initiatives aimed at recruiting and retaining historically underrepresented and first-generation students, including the Guaranteed Admissions Pathway Program that partners with high schools in the Tampa Bay region to increase admissions opportunities for students of underserved populations.

Approximately 43 percent of Թϱstudents identify as non-white, with Hispanics representing about 20 percent, Asian Americans at nearly seven percent and Blacks making up close to nine percent. In this year’s freshman class, Black, Hispanic, Asian and international student enrollment have all increased over the previous year. Թϱis recognized as a national leader in student success and has been honored for graduating underrepresented minority and limited-income students at rates equal to or higher than white and higher income students. 

Թϱrecently announced a series of new actions that reinforce its diversity and inclusion efforts, including a commitment of $500,000 to fund nearly two dozen interdisciplinary projects to advance research on topics related to anti-racism. In addition, Թϱis part of a group of universities nationwide participating in a three-year institutional change initiative to develop more inclusive faculty recruitment, hiring, retention and teaching practices.   

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.

Թϱwill be featured, along with other recipients, in the November 2020 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine.

Return to article listing

Թϱin the News

January 31, 2025

January 30, 2025

January 24, 2025

January 20, 2025

More Թϱin the News

News Archive

Learn more about USF's journey to Preeminence by viewing Newsroom articles from past years.