Johns Hopkins University, School of Nursing recognized for commitment to diversity, inclusion

In recognition of its outstanding commitments to diversity and inclusion, Johns Hopkins University has earned a 2021 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, higher education's oldest and largest diversity magazine and website. The School of Nursing was also honored for the fourth consecutive year in the health professions category.

The HEED award measures the efforts of U.S. colleges and universities to broaden diversity through programs, outreach, student recruitment and retention, and hiring practices, among other areas. For Johns Hopkins, the award takes into account ongoing efforts including the Faculty Diversity Initiative, the Diversity Leadership Council, and the Roadmap on Diversity and Inclusion, as well as decisions such as adding gender-affirming surgery to the university's benefits package, reducing salaries of several high-ranking university leaders during the pandemic, and the hiring of new Chief Diversity Officer Katrina Caldwell.

"This award is a recognition of our collective commitment to building a more diverse, equitable, affirming, and inclusive Hopkins," Caldwell said. "Even though we still have work to do, we need to take a moment to celebrate the progress that has been made across our institution."

In addition to its HEED award, the School of Nursing was also designated as a Best School for Men in Nursing by the American Association for Men in Nursing.

"These recognitions speak to the fact that diversity, equity, and inclusion are not simply phrases we talk about at our school, but an intentional way of being," says Sarah L. Szanton, dean of the School of Nursing. "We know there is more work to do, but I am proud that our community embraces diversity and recognizes that influencing in this sphere starts right here at home in our school."

The HEED application process is designed to help higher-education institutions comprehensively assess their diversity and inclusion efforts in order to build on successes and make improvements, according to INSIGHT Into Diversity. The HEED award is the only national award that honors individual institutions for being outstanding examples of colleges or universities that are committed to making diversity and inclusion a top priority across their campuses.

Hopkins' HEED application was steered by Gloria Ramsey, associate dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the School of Nursing, and Erin Fox, senior program manager in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

As a HEED award recipient, Johns Hopkins University is featured along with 100 other winners in the November 2021 issue of INSIGHT into Diversity, which is the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. For more than 45 years, INSIGHT has connected potential employees with institutions and businesses choosing to embrace a workforce more reflective of local and national communities.