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KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Diversity and inclusion efforts underway at Western ¾ÅÒ»Â鶹ÖÆƬ³§ University helped it earn recognition for the sixth year in a row from a national publication that focuses on diversity in higher education.

WMU was one of 96 institutions from around the nation named an annual Higher Education Excellence in Diversity—HEED—honoree by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. WMU has been honored by the publication each year since 2013. The University was recognized for the efforts of its Martin Luther King Jr. Committee which coordinates numerous events, including for high school and middle school students, as well as community reflections and a commemorative walk--all with a social justice theme.

"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--continued leadership support for diversity, and 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 accomplished every day across their campus."

The honorees are featured in the November 2018 issue of the magazine and at .

WMU's Office of Diversity and Inclusion submitted an extensive application for this year's HEED award. Inclusion efforts are in alignment with and a major focus of WMU's Diversity and Multiculturalism Action Plan that has guided University efforts since it was adopted in 2006.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.