On Tuesday, October 3, Lasell University received the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) 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 — Lasell will be featured, along with 89 other undergraduate institution recipients, in the November/December 2024 issue of Insight Into Diversity magazine. This is the second year in a row that Lasell has been named as a HEED Award recipient.

“I am incredibly proud of Lasell University for receiving the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from Insight Into Diversity magazine for the second consecutive year,” said Jesse Tauriac, Lasell University’s Chief Diversity Officer. “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where all students, faculty, and staff are equitably positioned to thrive. At Lasell, we believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are integral to academic and personal growth, and this award reinforces our dedication to advancing these values. I am grateful to everyone in our community who has contributed to this important work, and I look forward to continuing our efforts to make Lasell a place where every voice is valued.”

“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 — leadership support for diversity, campus culture and climate, supplier diversity, and many 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.”