Magazine honors college’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion
For the fifth year in a row, INSIGHT into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, is honoring The Ohio State University College of Nursing with the 2020 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award.
“Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is embedded in our core values as a college,” said Bernadette Melnyk, PhD, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP, FAAN, vice president for health promotion, university chief wellness officer and dean of the College of Nursing. “Every student, faculty, staff, alumni, donor and friend associated with our college is encouraged to dream big and to transform health and improve lives. We empower everyone – absent labels or qualifiers – to reach their full potential.”
“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 done every day across their campus.”
The Ohio State College of Nursing earned this continued national recognition, in part, because of its ability to build on progress made in academics, research, student engagement and community impact. Several College of Nursing faculty have current research focused on reducing health disparities, its population of underrepresented students increased across academic programs and the college leveraged technology during the pandemic to host a five-week virtual Summer Success Series that aimed to help develop soft skills in underrepresented undergraduate students. The college also formed the affinity group Nursing Students of Color to retain and support students as they move toward graduation, and it continued its HRSA grant-funded work to support the education and development of Community Health Workers to improve the health and well-being of their own neighborhoods.
“We are motivated and inspired in our work to promote diversity and inclusion not only by this recognition of our successes, but also by the knowledge that our potential in this area is limitless,” said Angela Alston, DNP, MPH, APRN-CNP, assistant professor of clinical practice and chief diversity officer for the College of Nursing. “We support progress in engaging a diverse community within our college so that we can educate and prepare leaders and practitioners who authentically and brilliantly impact healthcare for all.”
The College of Nursing joins 45 other national recipients, including Ohio State’s Colleges of Medicine, Optometry and Veterinary Medicine.
