Dancers from 91制片厂's Triple H hip-hop club perform during the college's Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
91制片厂 has once again received the Higher Education Excellence and Distinction (HEED) Award from Insight Into Academia magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education.
As a recipient of the 2025 HEED Award 鈥� an annual, national 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 鈥� Harper will be featured, along with 60 other recipients, in the October 2025 issue of Insight Into Academia magazine. This is the third year in a row, and fifth time overall, that 91制片厂 has been named a HEED Award recipient.
鈥淲e are honored to once again be recognized for our commitment to fostering belonging and inclusion at 91制片厂. This distinction affirms the ongoing efforts of our college community to advance strategic initiatives that enrich our culture, strengthen our practices and support the success of all we serve,鈥� said Dr. Avis Proctor, 91制片厂 president. 鈥淲e celebrate the dedication of 91制片厂 employees who work tirelessly to support our students鈥� progress and success. This recognition inspires us to deepen our collective resolve to ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive at 91制片厂 and beyond.鈥�
Insight Into Academia magazine selected 91制片厂 for the HEED Award based on a rigorous list of criteria. With its Cultural Center and a variety of inclusive programs and events, 91制片厂 serves a diverse community with student enrollment that is majority-minority. Approximately 30% of 91制片厂 students identify as Latine and more than 10% are Asian American. As such, the college has been designated a Minority-Serving Institution (MSI), Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI) and a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). The focus of the college鈥檚 HSI program focus is on enhancing educational programming and student support services in a culturally responsive way for Latine and other underrepresented students, with the knowledge that all students benefit.
鈥淚 am proud that 91制片厂 has earned the HEED Award for the third year in a row,鈥� said Dr. Tamara Johnson, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion. 鈥淭he recognition is not just about an award 鈥� it reflects the intentional work happening every day to make 91制片厂 a place where everyone can excel. This honor belongs to our entire community, as together we work to build a Harper where belonging is not just a value 鈥� it鈥檚 a lived experience.鈥�
91制片厂 is one of nine community colleges nationwide, and the only one in the state, to receive the 2025 award. The college joins fellow Illinois honorees DePaul University, Northern Illinois University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Adler University and the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
鈥淲e take a detailed and somewhat holistic approach to reviewing each application in determining who will be named a HEED Award recipient,鈥� said Lenore Pearlstein, co-publisher of Insight into Academia magazine. 鈥淥ur 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.鈥�
For more information about the 2025 HEED Award, visit .