WKU News

WKU has officially increased its national Campus Pride Index rating to 4.5 stars.

The index is operated by Campus Pride, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to creating safer, more LGBTQ-friendly learning environments on college and university campuses.

WKU’s index rating for 2021-22 is an increase from 2 stars in 2016-17 and 3 stars in 2018-19.

“Through a collaborative effort, WKU has worked diligently over the past two years to increase that rating and create a more welcoming environment for all LGBTQ+ members of our campus community,” said Dr. Molly Kerby, Assistant Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Co-Chief Diversity Officer. “The WKU 2018-28 Strategic Plan, Climbing to Greater Heights, set a metric of achievement at a 5-star rating on the index by 2027-28; we are way ahead of schedule.”

WKU ranks fourth in the state of Kentucky, just a half of a star behind the University of Kentucky, University of Louisville and Northern Kentucky University, Dr. Kerby said.

“The University DEI Workgroup plans to work with stakeholders to obtain that 5-star rating within the next year, if possible,” she said.

The Campus Pride Index is a free, online benchmarking tool for campuses interested in recruiting more LBTGQ+ faculty, staff and students. The database allows prospective students and their families, as well as faculty and staff, to search for institutions that are welcoming, safe, and offer support for the LGBTQ+ community.

Contact: Dr. Molly Kerby, molly.kerby@wku.edu

-WKU-

Western Kentucky University prides itself on positioning its students, faculty and staff for long term success. As a student-centered, applied research university, WKU helps students expand on classroom learning by integrating education with real-world applications in the communities we serve. Our hilltop campus is located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, which was recently named by Reader’s Digest as one of the nicest towns in America, just an hour’s drive from Nashville, Tennessee.