A national group that recognizes colleges and universities for LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs, and practices has named Guilford as one of the nation's best.
Guilford College has been named one of America’s 30 most welcoming colleges and universities for LGBTQ+ students for the fifth time in six years by Campus Pride, a national organization dedicated to creating safer communities at higher education institutions.
Steve Mencarini, Guilford’s Dean of Students, says the College is honored by the recognition but not surprised. “Guilford has a long history of support and advocacy for everyone in our community,” he says. “Diversity is one of our core values, and we are committed to this as an institution even as the nation faces challenges of shifting attitudes about diversity.”
Campus Pride released its 2023 Best of the Best list on Aug. 24. The list highlights campuses nationally that are setting high standards for LGBTQ inclusion in policy, program, and practice. You can check out Campus Pride’s full profile of Guilford on its website.
“Earning a spot on Campus Pride’s Best of the Best list recognizes an institution’s efforts to create a safe and welcoming campus for their LGBTQ+ students, staff and faculty,” said Campus Pride Founder, CEO and Executive Director Shane Mendez Windmeyer.
Ayesha Swinton, Guilford’s new Director of the Office of Transformation & Inclusion, says the ranking reaffirms to her the College’s commitment to creating a campus that welcomes all students. “Guilford truly is a college inclusive of all,” she says. “I love walking across campus knowing I’m in a place where LGBTQ+ students are not only welcome but celebrated.”
“It’s and protect LGBTQ+ students can not be taken for granted. The colleges and universities that made our list this year deserve this recognition for the efforts they have made and continue to make.”
Campus Pride’s 2023 Best of the Best LGBTQ-friendly list includes four-year public and private colleges and universities from around the country. Guilford and the other institutions each achieved five out of five stars and the highest percentage scores on the Campus Pride Index (CPI), the premier national benchmarking tool measuring LGBTQ-friendly policies, programs, and practices on college and university campuses.
To earn a ranking of five out of five stars, campuses receive a percentage score from 90 to 100 based on their reporting of LGBTQ-friendly features. Campuses are scored on eight LGBTQ-friendly factors, including housing, campus safety, academics, student life and recruitment and retention efforts.