Frontier Nursing University has received the 2024 Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. As a recipient of the annual Health Professions HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. health colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — FNU will be featured, along with 70 other recipients, in the November/December 2024 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the seventh consecutive year FNU has been named as a Health Professions HEED Award recipient.
“Being named an INSIGHT Into Diversity Health Professions Education Excellence in Diversity Award winner is a tremendous honor,” said FNU President Dr. Brooke A. Flinders, DNP, RN, APRN-CNM, FACNM. “Many years ago, the leadership at Frontier recognized the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in all corners of society, but particularly in healthcare, where it has been proven that culturally competent care improves health outcomes. Guided by our Board of Directors and our diverse and talented faculty and staff, Frontier prepares our students to provide excellent, ethical, and compassionate care in their communities all across the United States. Receiving this award is not only a validation of our strategies and results but also a reminder that there is much more to be done.”
For nearly two decades, FNU has emphasized the importance of increasing diversity enrollment and retention through a number of initiatives. FNU’s many DEI initiatives include the implementation of a holistic admissions process, the expansion of its Office of DEI staff, diversity training for all members of the FNU community, mentoring programs, the formation of six Student Interest Groups, and the establishment of DEI Faculty Fellow and DEI Staff Ambassador programs. FNU’s enrollment of students of color, just 9% in 2010, has grown to 30% today.
“At Frontier Nursing University, we are fully committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming community where everyone is included, valued, and respected,” said FNU Dean of Inclusive Excellence and Student Success Dr. Paula Alexander-Delpech, Ph.D., PMHNP-BC, APRN, FAANP. “Our DEI programs, initiatives, and policies are data-driven and evidence-based, with equal input and commitment from university leadership, faculty, students, and staff.”
“The Health Professions 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 Health Professions HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for schools where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”
