RCC Receives Insight Into Diversity 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award

Rockland Community College (RCC) received the 2023 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 HEED Award — a national honor recognizing U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion — Rockland Community College will be featured, along with 108 other recipients, in the November/December 2023 issue of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This is the third year RCC has been named as a HEED Award recipient.

"We are immensely honored to announce that Rockland Community College has been recognized with the 2023 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. This prestigious award not only symbolizes our steadfast commitment to fostering an inclusive environment but also underscores our collective efforts in championing diversity across all spectrums. Being selected alongside 107 esteemed institutions is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire RCC community. This marks the third year in a row that RCC has been named a HEED Award recipient, further solidifying our resolve to continue our work in ensuring that every individual feels seen, heard, and valued in our educational community,” states Dr. Lester Rápalo, President, Rockland Community College.

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine selected Rockland Community College in part due to the College’s collaborative approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Recognizing that effective diversity, equity and inclusion work cannot be undertaken by one small office, the College established the Steps Beyond Statements committee. The committee, which reports to the President and the Chief Diversity Officer, has representation from students, staff and faculty across campus and is responsible for advancing the College’s diversity, equity, and inclusion agenda.

“The 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 — leadership support for diversity, campus culture and climate, supplier diversity, and many 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 HEED Award recipient. Our standards are high, and we look for institutions where diversity and inclusion are woven into the work being done every day across their campus.”

RCC is one of six campuses and the only community college of the State University of New York (SUNY) to be recognized this year with the HEED Award.

For more information about the 2023 HEED Award, visit www.insightintodiversity.com.

For more information about Rockland Community College, visit www.sunyrockland.edu.

About Rockland Community College

Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCC’s institutional collaborations.

RCC fosters an environment that attracts, recruits, supports, and retains faculty, staff, and students who value diversity. The College promotes a collegial and inclusive environment by recognizing, promoting, embracing, respecting, and celebrating the expansive range and dimensions of cultures, attitudes, ideas, and viewpoints contained within our campus community.

RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and micro credentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at www.sunyrockland.edu.

About INSIGHT Into Diversity

INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine is the leader in advancing best practices in DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) in higher education. Through thought-provoking print and online articles, we share expert advice, valuable resources, in-depth profiles of top DEI programs at colleges and universities, headline news, and much more to help keep our readers informed and empower them to advance DEI initiatives at their institutions. To further our mission, we created the INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award in 2012. The HEED Award — including the more targeted INSIGHT Into Diversity Health Professions, Law School, and Community College HEED Awards — is the only national honor to recognize institutions of higher education for their outstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Current, archived, and digital issues of INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine are available online at www.insightintodiversity.com.