For the second consecutive year, the university has been recognized by Insight Into Academia, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education, for its commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and community building.
An influential magazine that covers issues and trends in American higher education has again named Elon University to a list of schools that celebrate “an outstanding commitment to academic excellence, belonging, and community-building across all levels of campus life.”
Insight Into Academia has honored Elon University, along with 60 other recipients, with a 2025 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction Award. Recipients will be featured in the publication’s October 2025 issue.
This marks the second consecutive year of recognition for the university and its third award overall. Insight Into Academia, formerly known as Insight Into Diversity, initially recognized Elon in 2014.
“We take a detailed and somewhat holistic approach to reviewing each application in determining who will be named a HEED Award recipient,” said Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher of Insight into Academia magazine. “Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where academic excellence and belonging are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”
“Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where academic excellence and belonging are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”
– Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher, Insight Into Academic
This year’s award recognizes the programs, initiatives, and opportunities pursued by recipients to nurture a sense of belonging by students, faculty, and staff. Other criteria considered in this award selection: off-campus community partnerships, and recognition bestowed by a university on employees whose service and scholarship are considered “invisible labor” away from core work responsibilities.
Over the past year, Elon University’s Division of Inclusive Excellence collaborated with the Staff Advisory Council and HealthEU to develop and launch Together@Elon, monthly opportunities for Elon employees to enjoy shared experiences. Together@Elon was established on the belief that social connections within the faculty and staff better helps employees support student success.
The 2025 HEED award also recognized Elon University’s partnerships within the greater Alamance County community through the Elon Academy, an intensive, multi-phase, college access and success program for academically promising high school students.
“The HEED award application requires us to gather institutional data, programs, services, and other information that illustrates the degree to which Elon strives to achieve human flourishing for all its members of the community,” said Randy Williams, the university’s vice president for inclusive excellence. “Working with colleagues to tell that story, and supported with compelling evidence, is rewarding in itself. I’m especially grateful when external colleagues recognize Elon as a leader in inclusive excellence.
“Insight Into Academia’s second consecutive year of awarding Elon motivates us to advance our efforts to foster respect for human differences.”
Williams acknowledged the following Elon University faculty and staff who contributed information and suggestions for the award application:
- Naeemah Clark, Associate Provost for Academic Inclusive Excellence
- Mike Haskins, Vice President for Communications and Marketing
- Monica Isbell, Director of Academic Accommodations & Accessibility
- Kimberly Romero, Assistant Dean of Admissions for Inclusive Excellence
- Rob Springer, Executive Director of Institutional Effectiveness
- Paul Tongsri, Assistant Dean for Student Success and Retention
About Elon University
Elon is a nationally recognized leader in engaged, experiential learning that prepares graduates to be creative, resilient, ambitious and ethical citizens of our global culture.
At Elon, more than 7,000 students learn through hands-on experiences and close working relationships with faculty and staff whose priorities are teaching and mentoring. The curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts and sciences with emphasis on global experiences and career development. More than 70 undergraduate majors are complemented by professional and graduate programs in law, business, education and health care. Elon is ranked No. 1 for excellence in undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report.
Elon’s academic divisions include Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences; the Martha and Spencer Love School of Business; the School of Communications; the Dr. Jo Watts Williams School of Education; the School of Health Sciences; and the School of Law, with programs in Greensboro and Charlotte, North Carolina.
About Insight Into Academia
Insight Into Academia magazine, formerly Insight Into Diversity, is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. Insight is the leader in recognizing inclusive excellence in higher education through its many prestigious awards, and in advancing best practices in inclusive excellence and belonging through their website and print magazine.
Current, archived, and digital issues of Insight Into Academia magazine are available online at insightintoacademia.com.