FSU receives award for diversity and mental health support

By Bella Grimaldi

News Editor

Framingham State is the only institution in the Massachusetts State University System to receive a Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) award. 

The University was recognized by the Insight into Academia magazine for on-campus mental health support, the increase of diversity in faculty and the student body, and “outreach efforts to diverse communities,” said Jeffrey Coleman, vice president for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement.

According to the Insight into Academia’s website, the HEED award “measures an institution’s level of achievement and intensity of commitment to academic excellence and belonging on campus through initiatives, programs, and outreach; student recruitment, retention, and completion; and hiring practices for faculty and staff.” 

Coleman said, “This is why I really like this award. It gives you an opportunity to show leadership in diversity, equity, and inclusion in various aspects of the campus. It’s just really rewarding and fulfilling to be at an institution where people are naturally doing a lot of this work.”

He said he hopes this communicates to current and prospective students that “DEI is in the DNA of Framingham State.

“This is who we are and we are unapologetic about it, and we’re not trying to hide it. … This is what our community looks like and we must embrace it,” said Coleman. 

President Nancy Niemi said, “Not only do we mean it when we say we are committed to being diverse and inclusive,” but “we hope it leads to equity for our students, so they can live thriving and inclusive lives.”

In addition to the recognition for diversity, Niemi said she is glad the University is recognized for its on-campus mental health support. 

She said, “It’s wonderful that other folks see that we are committed to everybody’s mental health, and now that it has become far more acceptable to talk about one’s mental health as part of one’s overall well-being.”

Coleman said, “The HEED Award selection committee noted that FSU has great mental health support on our campus, as this issue has become a huge concern on college campuses nationwide.”

Coleman said FSU is one of the 50 universities nationwide to receive an undergraduate institution HEED award.

HEED awards are open to universities in the United States and Canada.

They recognize five different categories of institutions: community colleges, undergraduate institutions, health profession schools, graduate schools, and law schools.

According to Insight into Academia’s website, each “HEED Award recipient receives a complementary access to the HEED award logo for promotional use in print and online marketing materials.” 

Applications are reviewed by representatives of Potomac Publishing Inc., which is the publisher for Insight into Academia’s magazine. 

According to Coleman, this year is the eighth time the University has received a HEED award. 

He said last year, Framingham State was recognized for its efforts in faculty and staff development opportunities, faculty DEI recruitment efforts, and the University’s increase in student diversity. “There’s always an opportunity to excel in multiple areas of the campus.”

Coleman said the University submitted the free application by the end of June. The award was announced in August and is highlighted in Insight into Academia’s October publication.  

Coleman said his division completed the application and reached out to other administrators to pull data and information to submit. This process took approximately a month to complete.

Niemi said her role was to show her support for the diversity and inclusion efforts on campus.

Niemi said, “I talked about the institutional commitment to diversity, and I explained what diversity looks like on our campus, and what it feels like on our campus.” 

According to Coleman, the Provost’s office, the Human Resources Department, the Office of Student Affairs, the Center of Academic Success and Achievement, and the Division of Student Success provided data for the application.

“Everybody’s asked to share some initiatives they have. … [Insight into Academia is] looking to see who’s doing new and innovative things. They’re looking to see if you have any results on any of your efforts,” he said. 

Sophomore Mya Secka said, “I like that the University is so committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. It creates a welcoming environment for everyone and a safe space for everyone to get what they need, when they need it.”

She added she doesn’t have much experience with mental health support on campus, but is aware there are resources available.

“I always see signs or flyers that encourage students to seek out those resources if they need them - which I think is great for students to have different options if they need help,” said Secka.

Junior Mac Johns said he believes the University hosts a good number of clubs and groups for people of different backgrounds to join.

He added he believes the University can improve how they inform students about the mental health resources on campus.

“Maybe have some people from the counseling department come in and speak to us in certain classes,” said Johns. 

Sophomore Danielle Piedrahita said she believes the mental health support on campus is a great resource and “the people who work [in the Counseling Center] are so nice and supportive.”

She added she believes the University is diverse and inclusive but there could be more work to be accessible to people with disabilities. 

“There are some buildings with no elevator or limited access,” she said.

Junior Luis Rodriguez said he believes the campus is very diverse and the themed nights through Campus Events and in the Dining Commons are “a good step forward.”

He said he believes there is room for improvement in the Counseling Center because appointment times fill up quickly.

Sophomore Elizabeth Rivers said she believes the University is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

“I feel like this is what Framingham State is known for and a lot of people of different races, sexualities, genders, and religions come here. I feel that Framingham [State] is a very accepting and welcoming campus and they always make sure to show that by events they have, services they have,” she said.