The Miami University Alumni Association is one of 32 recipients to be featured in an upcoming edition of Insight Into Diversity representing the magazine’s 2024 Alumni Association Inclusive Excellence Award. 

The alumni award recognizes programs, cultures, and initiatives that encourage and support diversity, inclusion, and a sense of belonging for all alumni. 

“I’m extremely proud of what my colleagues in the alumni association have accomplished and pioneered in this area of alumni relations,” said Kim Tavares, executive director of the alumni association. “They are a team dedicated to ensuring a fulfilling alumni experience for all Miamians.” 

There are more than 240,000 Miami alumni worldwide. Engagement efforts include the annual Grandparents College program; advisory boards for active alumni groups; the MIAMI Women Giving Circle, which supplies grants to underserved and underrepresented groups; and the Spirit of Western College award, given to alumni who have made an impact toward diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their industry.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the alumni association launched a popular webinar platform that includes many DEI topics and continues to thrive. 

“We have not slowed down our online engagement, and we have seen an increased enthusiasm for our in-person events,” Tavares said. “We’ve received tremendous support from the university community as we continue to find new and innovative ways to connect with our alumni.” 

Insight Into Diversity is the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The 2024 alumni award winners will appear in the June issue of the magazine. 

“We know that alumni associations are not always recognized for their dedication to diversity, inclusion, and belonging,” Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine, said in a news release. “We are proud to honor these college and university alumni associations as role models for other institutions of higher education.”