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VWU Named a 2022 Best College for LGBTQ+ Students
Virginia Wesleyan is among just 40 institutions selected for this year's Campus Pride list
University News | September 1, 2022
Virginia Wesleyan University is one of just 40 institutions selected as a 2022 honoree among the Best of the Best Colleges and Universities for LGBTQ+ Students by Campus Pride. VWU has also been named the #1 College in Virginia for LGBTQ+ students by BestColleges.com in partnership with Campus Pride.
For 16 years, Campus Pride has been considered the most trusted, reliable educational resource for students and families looking for the best campuses for LGBTQ inclusion and safety. The organization works alongside students, faculty, staff and administrators at 1400+ campuses to help support and improve the quality of campus life for LGBTQ people. In order to be in the “Best of the Best” listing, an institution must score the highest percentages in the LGBTQ-friendly benchmarks for policies, programs and practices.
“Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion continues to be a guiding principle as we plan the future of our University and ensure that we are meeting the needs of the many different people we serve,” said VWU President Scott D. Miller. “While DEI is an area in which we expect to perpetually grow and improve over time, we're grateful to know that our existing efforts have already been considered noteworthy by organizations devoted to the issue.”
Campus Pride's “Best of the Best” listing features 40 four-year campuses from across the country. Each campus on the list has achieved 5 out of 5 stars on the Campus Pride Index. To earn a five-star ranking, campuses receive a percentage score from 90 to 100 based on their LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs, and practices. The methodology to determine this year’s list was based on an overall score of 93 percent or higher.
“Campus Pride created the 'Best of the Best' list to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of these colleges and universities, creating safer, more welcoming campuses for LGBTQ+ people,” said Shane Windmeyer, Campus Pride Executive Director. “Students, prospective students, and their families, along with faculty and staff members, deserve to know whether they will be safe on campus, so they can make the best choices for their own academic success—and by creating inclusive, safe environments these colleges are taking responsibility for all students.”
Virginia Wesleyan University was also named the #1 college in the commonwealth for LGBTQ+ students this year by BestColleges.com. In addition to the Campus Pride Index rating scale, BestColleges has included its own ranking methodology that emphasizes college affordability and important academic quality metrics, including admissions rate, enrollment rate, graduation rate, and accreditation.
Learn more about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Virginia Wesleyan University