CWRU Receives National Diversity Award
Case Western Reserve University is the recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award presented by Insight Into Diversity magazine, a national publication that focuses on diversity in higher education. The award, announced in mid-November, recognizes U. S. colleges and universities that demonstrate a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. This is the first year that such an award has been given by Insight Into Diversity.
CWRU is one of 47 higher education institutions to be recognized by the magazine. In selecting CWRU for the award, sponsors specifically highlighted the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity's Train the Champion program. The nearly year-long program brings together faculty and staff in monthly meetings to explore various aspects of diversity, including race, gender, disability and generational differences. The goal of the program is to create "diversity champions" who will go on to promote and advance the cause of diversity on campus through their daily interactions and involvement in diversity and inclusion initiatives.
"The Train the Champion program is an example of the buy-in we have from the top from President Snyder and the difference we are making with our faculty and staff in our effort to create meaningful learning opportunities across campus," said CWRU Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity Marilyn S. Mobley. "We are grateful for the recognition and the encouragement such an award provides even as we continue the work we know we need to do as a campus community."
In a statement about the award to CWRU, Lenore Pearlstein, editor of the magazine, said that while many colleges and universities excel at student diversity initiatives, CWRU stands out as an institution that approaches diversity in a holistic manner, including all members of the campus community.
CWRU received the national award after submitting an application, which outlined various campus diversity initiatives and efforts. Several individuals were involved in completing the application, including Richard Bischoff, Vice President of Enrollment Management; Melissa Burrows, Faculty Diversity Officer; Bridget Chapman, Academic Coordinator in the Office of Multicultural Affairs; Jean Gubbins, Director of Institutional Research, Lisa Meeks. Assistant Director, Disability Resources, Educational Services for Students; and Liz Roccoforte, Director of the LGBT Center. CWRU and other award winners are featured in the December edition of Insight Into Diversity and received award certificates.
University Named "Best in Class" for
Workforce Diversity
for Second Consecutive Year
For the second consecutive year, Case Western Reserve University has been named "Best in Class" for Workforce Diversity by the Commission on Economic Inclusion, a program of the Greater Cleveland Partnership. The university was honored in the nonprofit category for its efforts to recruit and retain a diverse workforce, raise awareness about diversity issues, provide training and opportunities for dialogue on diversity-related issues and for its diversity programming.
Marilyn S. Mobley, vice president for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity, accepted the award on behalf of the university at a reception held in May.
"Diversity is essential to the rich academic and social environment that Case Western Reserve University now enjoys," said University President Barbara R. Snyder. "We strive to build a culture of inclusion, creativity and respect to benefit the members of our community."
Current diversity efforts at Case include professional development opportunities provided by the Office of Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity and those sponsored by the Flora Stone Mather Center for Women; diversity related lectures and other programs; and the work of the Diversity Leadership Council, President's Advisory Council on Minorities, President's Council on Women and Staff Advisory Council.
"We know we have much work to do in the area of diversity and inclusion, and we will continue to address our challenges, " Mobley said. "At the same time, it's wonderful to know that our neighboring institutions, businesses and organizations recognize the great strides we are making and were willing to attend a great public celebration of our ongoing progress. "
In addition, Case Western Reserve University Trustee Dominic Ozanne, of Ozanne Construction, accepted an award on behalf of the company for Best in Class for Workforce Diversity in the middle-market sector.
The partnership was first proposed by CWRU Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity and Equal Opportunity Marilyn S. Mobley who saw the partnership as aligning well with the university's priorities. The university is the association's inaugural host institution and will serve in this role for the next three years. As part of the partnership, a major biomedical symposium will be held on campus in spring 2014.