New Mexico State University has been selected as an inaugural recipient of the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.

"New Mexico State University has many unique diversity programs and initiatives in place that either met or exceeded the standards by which we measured the HEED award applicants," said Lenore Pearlstein, publisher of INSIGHT Into Diversity. "As a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, their commitment to diversity and inclusion among their students, faculty and staff is very evident."

The HEED award was created to recognize the diversity and inclusion efforts of U.S. colleges and universities of all types. Important for consideration for this award were initiatives related to gender, race, ethnicity, veterans, people with disabilities and members of the LGBT community.

The 2012 recipients are featured in the December issue of the publication.

Christina Chavez Kelley is NMSU's assistant vice president for student diversity and outreach. She was responsible for organizing and submitting NMSU's application for the award.

"NMSU is greatly honored to receive this prestigious award from INSIGHT Into Diversity," Chavez Kelley said. "Because diversity positively impacts the attributes of learning for our students, faculty and staff, we will continue to be fully engaged across the numerous social and cultural differences reflected at NMSU."

NMSU is designated a Minority Serving Institution and a Hispanic Serving Institution based on the percentages of enrolled students in those categories.

The institution has a long history of diversity programming.

"We hope the HEED award serves as a reminder that diversity and inclusion must remain priorities in the 21st century higher education landscape," Pearlstein said. "Every college and university should recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion as being part of their everyday life on campus."

The award comes on the heels of other recognition for serving diverse populations. In September, Hispanic Outlook magazine included NMSU in the top 50 Hispanic bachelor's and master's degree-granting schools, ranking in the top 20 in terms of bachelor's degrees in education and engineering and master's degrees in engineering and social sciences.

For more about the HEED award, go to http://www.insightintodiversity.com/about-us/2012-heed-award-recipients/.