Regis College has received the 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.
As a recipient of the annual HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — Regis College will be featured, along with 89 other recipients, in the November 2020 issue of the magazine.
“One of Regis College’s founding principles is to welcome all without distinction and we prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in all that we do,” said Regis College President Antoinette Hays, PhD, RN. “I’m proud we are the recipient of the HEED award in recognition of this commitment.”
INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Regis College for a number of initiatives and programs including:
- Commitment to LGBTQA+ student support
- Regis has an active chapter of the student Gay Straight Alliance as well as Prism, a support and advocacy group for faculty and staff.
- The Campus Pride Index taskforce works to create an LGBTQ+ inclusive campus for students, staff, faculty and administrators. Utilizing the Campus Pride Index assessment, we have identified where Regis ranks among other LGBTQ+ friendly campuses and how we can continue to advance toward a more inclusive campus for this community.
- Each year, Regis recognizes both National Coming Out Day and Transgender Day of Remembrance, embraces and promotes the use of appropriate pronouns, and celebrates Lavender Graduation to recognize the accomplishments and contributions of LGBTQ+ and ally graduate and undergraduate students. This year, the university community will host a virtual OUTober event and a virtual Pride month celebration.
- Equity for first-generation students and students of color
- Regis’ First Pride Early move-in helps to ease the transition into college. Our Partners in Excellence mentoring initiative provides personal guidance and support to first year students of color and first-generation students through trained peer, faculty, staff, and graduate mentors.
- Multiple admission materials, including the financial guides, are translated into Spanish and Mandarin.
- Regis maintains a satellite campus, Regis North, in Lawrence, Mass., one of the most diverse communities in Massachusetts. In partnership with Northern Essex Community College, Regis North offers bachelor’s completion programs in Public Health, Marketing and Communications, as well as a Spanish for Health Professionals Certificate program.
- Maintain connection and a sense of community during the pandemic
- Regis formed several subcommittees in response to the pandemic, two of which were specific to ensuring all students had the tools and resources they needed to adjust to remote learning, as well as the support they needed if they were personally impacted by the pandemic.
“I’m so glad that those outside of our community are recognizing our efforts,” said Audrey Grace, Regis’ associate vice president for inclusive excellence and chief diversity officer. “While there is still a lot that we need to do to achieve full equity and inclusive excellence for all, this award recognizes that our charism and mission, particularly our love and service for our Dear Neighbor without distinction, shines through.”
“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 magazine. “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.”
