Diversity Awards and Recognition

Ohio University’s commitment to serving as a leader for diversity and inclusion has been recognized nationally through a variety of awards and recognition.

HEED Award Logo 2022

Insight into Diversity HEED Award

The INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Ohio University has received the HEED Award for the seventh year in a row.

Top Military-Friendly® School

Collegiate Purple Star Badge

Ohio University is proud to announce it has once again been named one of the nation’s top Military-Friendly® schools by Viqtory Media, a veteran-owned company and publisher of G.I. Jobs magazine.

Get connected with our Veterans Center

2021 Rural-Based Entrepreneurship Center of the Year

Ohio University’s Innovation Center was named 2021 Rural-Based Entrepreneurship Center of the Year and received the Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the Year Award from the International Business Innovation Association (InBIA).

Read more about OHIO's Innovation Center

2018 iGIVE Award from the iBELIEVE Foundation

Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service was awarded the 2018 iGIVE Award from the iBELIEVE Foundation.

Read more about the bestowing of the iGIVE Award

2018 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award

Two Ohio University programs have received the 2018 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education.

  • Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine Cleveland’s Aspiring Doctors Pre-college Program
  • College of Arts and Sciences’ Tech Savy OHIO

Read more about these programs and the award

2018 Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA)

Ohio University and the City of Athens have received the Larry Abernathy Award from the International Town and Gown Association (ITGA) for their joint efforts to foster stronger relationships and communications on and off-campus.

Read more about Ohio receiving the Larry Abernathy Award

First Forward Institution Designation

First Forward Institution Logo

Ohio University has been selected to the inaugural cohort of First Forward Institutions by the Center for First-generation Student Success, an initiative of NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation. The First Forward designation recognizes institutions of higher education who have demonstrated a commitment to improving experiences and advancing outcomes of first-generation college students.

Read more about the First Forward Designation