Towson University Receives Diversity Award For Third Consecutive Year

Towson University has received the HEED award for excellence in diversity and inclusion for its third consecutive year.

The HEED award recognizes colleges and universities across the United States and Canada for outstanding commitment to broadening diversity and inclusion in curriculum, initiatives, and outreach. Towson was one of only two universities in Maryland to receive the award, which Insight Into Diversity Magazine issues.

Towson's Office of Inclusion and Institutional Equity (OIEE) offers a wide array of resources to support DEI initiatives. Programs such as ally training, diversity committees, and all-gender restrooms help make Towson a more diverse place.

In a statement from Towson University, vice president of Inclusion and Institutional Equity, Patricia Bradley, says she is happy to receive the award, but there is still work to do.

"We have for too long witnessed centuries of systemic racism and inequitable treatment based on who you are in this country," she said.

"It is our hope that one day every university, private or public, will join us on this list. Prioritizing diversity and inclusion should be intrinsic in everything that we do."

Each HEED award recipient chooses two programs to highlight their commitment to DEI.

Towson's included a series of events centered on racial equity through the lens of local communities and context. These events incorporated presentations from Dr. Lawrence Brown, author of The Black Butterfly: The Harmful Politics of Race and Place in America. Along with his presentations, Dr. Brown met with university leaders and conducted workshops on race and equity in the Baltimore area.

Towson University's commitment to DEI initiatives reflects changing demographics across Maryland. According to the 2020 census, more than half of all Marylanders identify as a racial or ethnic minority. Towson is also a majority-minority campus, with 54% of students identifying as a racial or ethnic minority.

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