UMD Graduate School Honored for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

The University of Maryland Graduate School received the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award, a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. The annual HEED award is administered by Insight Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. This is the first year that the award has a specific category honoring graduate schools.

“I’m grateful to the team at the Graduate School and our many colleagues across the University of Maryland for contributing to improving our efforts toward inclusive excellence,” said Stephen Roth, dean of the Graduate School. “This honor recognizes our ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse, inclusive and supportive community for all students, faculty and staff, which is a core ingredient in an excellent graduate education.”

UMD’s Graduate School was selected for its dedication to building a diverse and inclusive student community. For example, its Summer Research Opportunities Program equips prospective students—undergraduates—with the skills and mentorship necessary to excel in graduate school and research careers; it aims to boost the participation of underrepresented students pursuing graduate education and thriving in research-related professions. UMD was also lauded for its efforts to provide comprehensive training for faculty and staff involved in holistic graduate admissions reviews, following nationwide changes to admissions policies.

“The Graduate School at the University of Maryland ensures that students receive the support needed to thrive, which positively impacts retention and recruitment,” said Georgina Dodge, UMD’s vice president for diversity and inclusion. “The diversity in the graduate student body creates a community where robust learning and cultural interactions can occur, and that synergy helps to attract diverse students to UMD.”