Elon receives Insight into Academia 2026 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction Award

By Avery Craine Powell, staff

September 10, 2026

Students, faculty and staff throw flowers in the Sacred Space in the Numen Lumen Pavilion during a Holi event, a colorful South Asian tradition that gives the campus community a chance to celebrate traditions and a moment of joy with others.

The HEED Award is a prestigious honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to academic excellence, belonging and community-building across all levels of campus life.

For the third consecutive year, Elon has received the 2026 Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award from Insight Into Academia magazine, the oldest and largest publication focused on best practices in higher education.

Lilly Molina ’27 leads Elon students, employees and alumni in a “Spotlight on Inclusive Excellence” discussion about how media can better represent its audiences. Participants shared experiences and considered how media can ensure more voices are heard.

Elon will be featured, along with 60 other recipients, in the October 2026 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine. This latest honor recognizes the work Elon as an institution, and its students do to make a more inclusive community.

“What continues to distinguish Elon is that inclusive excellence is central to how we define educational excellence. We put people, relationships, and human differences at the heart of learning and at the foundation of a meaningful personal, professional, and civic life,” said Randy Williams, vice president for inclusive excellence. “Across the university, we share responsibility for creating an environment where people are seen, valued, and affirmed in their identities and can experience a genuine sense of belonging.”

The magazine uses a detailed scoring process and a holistic approach to review each application.

“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,” said Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher of Insight into Academia magazine.

Elon student Emily Ecker ’26 builds belonging through a partnership with Morrowtown Community Group in Burlington, N.C. She co-developed a program that strengthens the historically Black neighborhood’s community garden, supports local families and creates gathering spaces for young people.

Over the past several years, Elon has expanded its SMART mentor program (which connects first-year students with upperclass students) to support and mentor more students. The university has also expanded use of Living Learning Communities, including the new Mi Casa community. International student support efforts have also increased with the addition of a new staff member in that office to better support students with visas at Elon.

This summer, Elon will also begin the Elon Launch program, a 6-credit, 3-week residential transition program to give incoming students an intentional start on college life. Elon Launch is intentionally designed to meet the needs of neurodiverse students, including those with ADHD, autism spectrum conditions, anxiety or executive functioning challenges.

The university’s fly-in program, ElonYOU, is specifically designed to open access for students who would otherwise not be able to visit campus. The program fully funds travel and an overnight stay at Elon. Additionally, the program offers up to $250 in travel support for parents/guardians/supporters.

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 Marketing and Communications
  • Monica Isbell, Director of Academic Accommodations and Accessibility
  • Kimberly Romero, Assistant Dean of Admissions for Inclusive Excellence
  • Rob Springer, Senior Advisor for Institutional Effectiveness
  • Paul Tongsri, Assistant Dean for Student Success and Retention

About Insight Into Academia

Insight Into Academia magazine is the leader in advancing best practices in higher education excellence. Through thought-provoking print and online articles, we share expert advice, valuable resources, in-depth profiles of top programs at colleges and universities, headline news, and much more to help keep our readers informed and empower them to advance initiatives at their institutions. Current, archived, and digital issues of Insight Into Academia magazine are available online at insightintoacademia.com.

Posted in: Awards & Recognitions Student Experience

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