What does Drake University have in common with Ivy Leagues like Brown University, Columbia University and Cornell University? All are among the 113 Colleges and Universities that received the Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award.
According to Insight into Diversity, the award is based on “an institution’s level of achievement and intensity of commitment in regard to broadening diversity, inclusive excellence, and belonging on campus through initiatives, programs, and outreach; student recruitment, retention, and completion; and hiring practices for faculty and staff.”
According to the University, the improvements in diversity, equity, inclusion and justice at Drake were made possible due to programs such as National Coalition Building Institute trainings, improved campus reporting systems and many student and faculty organizations that work to ensure the university upholds its commitment.
“Drake is honored to be nationally recognized with the HEED award, which is a testament to the collective work and dedication of everyone across the University community,” said Associate Provost for Campus Equity and Inclusion Terrance Pendleton in a University press release.
This fall, Drake welcomed its most diverse first-year class in university history. According to a University press release, this class brings the diversity of the undergraduate student population to 37.4%. Members of the incoming class, however, did not feel like Drake had done enough in their efforts to make such diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEIJ) resources known, a Times-Delphic article in October 2024 reported.
Since that article was published, many first-years now believe that Drake has made significant improvements.
“Our students are more aware of the resources they have on campus with whatever issues they need,” First-Year Senator Sean Groh said.
Groh attributes this to an increase in conversation and openness from staff and faculty like Associate Provost of Campus Equity and Inclusion Terrance Pendleton and Jazlin Coley, director of the Crew Scholars program.
Recently, the Trump Administration signed executive orders that would cut DEIJ programs like the ones at Drake. The Iowa General Assembly — the state legislature — and the United States Congress have also drafted numerous bills that, if signed, would threaten the respective state and federal funding of colleges and universities that have such programs, regardless of if the institution is private or public. Many students rely on such funding to attend Drake.
“It really angers me to know that while we, the people, fight for laws that represent and protect us, the ignorant people that we put into power destroy all of it,” sophomore Ashley Diaz said.
At a time when many schools are rolling back their DEIJ efforts to keep up with such laws, Groh sees Drake as a beacon of hope and this award as a sign that Drake is committed to improving DEIJ on campus. Groh, who is also part of Crew Scholars, cited instances where other institutions turn to Drake — the only HEED Recipient in Iowa — for advice on improving their programs.
“We just had conversations with a bunch of [POC] students from there [Central College in Pella, Iowa] about how we have been working to create safe spaces and diverse and equitable and inclusive spaces for all students,” Groh said.
