Farmingdale State College (FSC) has proudly announced that it has earned the 2024 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, marking the third consecutive year the College has received this prestigious honor.  

The HEED Award recognizes U.S. colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Awards are given following a comprehensive and rigorous application process focused on the recruitment and retention of students and employees, best practices, leadership support for diversity, campus culture and climate, supplier diversity, and many other aspects of campus diversity and inclusion. 

Kevin Jordan, EdD, vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusive excellence and chief diversity officer, emphasized that FSC’s commitment extends far beyond the award itself.  

“At Farmingdale, we view this award as a point of overwhelming pride, not because of how many times we’ve received it, but because it serves as a reminder of the ongoing work we are doing,” he said. “There are still miles to go, but this recognition encourages us to keep moving forward.”  

Now a majority minority institution, 51% of FSC’s students identify as coming from minority backgrounds. FSC was recently awarded a $3 million U.S. Department of Education grant to fund a new, five-year program to support its Hispanic student population.  

In addition, FSC has earned federal designations as both a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). FSC also takes pride in being veterans- and military-friendly, with nearly 230 military-affiliated students—including 10 dependents and 30 National Guard members and reservists—making it the SUNY campus with the highest percentage of student veterans.  

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