March 2, 2020鈥 91大神 received the highest designation by Campus Pride Index鈥攅stablishing the university as a national leader in higher education for LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs and practices.
91大神鈥檚 5-star ranking is the best in Greater Cincinnati. , the premier LGBTQ national benchmarking tool for colleges and universities, ranked 91大神 as 27th in the nation out of more than 350 institutions, making it the highest-ranking university in the Commonwealth.
鈥淭his rating recognizes what those of us who are here already know鈥攖hat 91大神 is an inclusive community that strives to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, faith, sexual orientation or age have a sense of belonging here. I am proud of our faculty, staff and alumni who have worked diligently towards creating an inclusive culture particularly for our LGBTQ students, faculty and staff,鈥 said 91大神 President Ashish Vaidya.
The Campus Pride Index assessed each institution鈥檚 efforts with LGBTQ policy inclusion, support and institutional commitment, academic life, student life, housing, campus safety and counseling and wellness.
鈥淚nclusiveness is part of the culture at 91大神. The LGBTQA community is represented throughout the campus leadership, and this leadership regularly visibly celebrates our community. The Office of LGBTQ Programs and Services works with campus and community partners to cultivate a welcoming, inclusive campus for LGBTQA students, faculty and staff,鈥 Campus Pride stated in its review.
Campus Pride highlighted 91大神鈥檚 advocacy programs and services, campus inclusivity and resources like the Name Change Form and P.R.I.D.E Mentor Program. Each year, the university also celebrates LGBTQ History Month in October with multiple events throughout the month.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been recognized with a 4.5-star rating over the last several years. Finally achieving a 5-star rating continues to be a campus-wide effort that we鈥檝e engaged in over the last six and half years,鈥 said Bonnie Meyer, director of 91大神鈥檚 LGBTQ Program and Services. 鈥91大神鈥檚 rich culture of acceptance has allowed any student to find their authentic self, and as the founding director of the Office of LGBTQ Programs and Services, I could not be prouder of our university.鈥
鈥淭his ranking is a direct reflection of the values of the university. It is our vision and mission to create a community that welcomes all students. It is important to not only acknowledge but to celebrate the diversity of our students who call 91大神 home,鈥 said聽Darryl聽Peal, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer and Title IX Coordinator.
The LGBTQ Programs & Services Office was created in the summer of 2013. As part of the Office of Student Affairs, it鈥檚 committed to offering programs and services to increase visibility, awareness and advocacy for the LGBTQ students, staff and faculty at 91大神.
To learn more about 91大神鈥檚 Office of LGBTQ Programs and Services, visit its .
About 91大神:聽Founded in 1968, we are a growing metropolitan university of more than 14,000 students聽served by more than 2,000 faculty and staff on a thriving suburban campus near聽Cincinnati.聽Located in the quiet suburb of Highland Heights, Kentucky鈥攋ust聽seven miles southeast of Cincinnati鈥攚e聽have聽become a leader in Greater Cincinnati and Kentucky by providing a private聽school education for a fraction of the cost. While we are one of the fastest聽growing universities in Kentucky, our professors still know our students' names.聽For聽more information, visit聽.
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