The MSU College of Veterinary Medicine has been awarded Insight Into Diversity’s Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award for 2018. The HEED Award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. It is awarded by Insight Into Diversity, an organization recognized as a leading voice in diversity and inclusion for the past 40 years.

“The College is extremely honored to receive this award,” says Birgit Puschner, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “It is a testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone, but especially our Office for Diversity and Inclusion, for cultivating diversity, equity, and inclusion as integral values for both the College and MSU as a whole.”

The HEED Award recognizes the College’s efforts to recruit and retain historically underrepresented faculty and staff. The College’s programs and policies in this area include strategic recruitment tool kits used during every search and provides financial, social, academic, and professional support to faculty and staff.

“The excitement is palpable, and a foundation has been laid,” says Puschner. “We are energized to continue to develop innovative initiatives to expand diversity and maintain a climate of inclusive excellence.”

Also, the HEED Award recognizes efforts to recruit, retain, and improve graduation rates for historically underrepresented and first-generation students. Highlighted initiatives include health and wellness programs such as the Wellness Advocate Program, Spartan VETS mentoring program, the House System, Counseling and Wellness Services, and the Professional Success Series.

The College pursues awareness initiatives, which include the Enrichment Summer Program for students, Implicit Bias Seminars, and Queer Inclusive Learning and Leadership Training certifications for faculty and staff. In 2018, the College attended 11 outreach events to include Detroit Metro Youth Day and was host to Lansing area youth during the Lansing Pathways Promise Summer Explorer’s Program.

“I am grateful everyone is embracing this work,” says Hilda Mejia-Abreu, PhD, assistant dean for the Office of Admissions and Scholarship and Diversity and Inclusion. “Without the energy, dedication, passion, and engagement from everyone involved, we wouldn’t be able to achieve the progress we have made and will continue to make in the fields of diversity and inclusion.”

Learn more about the College’s commitment to diversity and inclusion here.