In its announcement, magazine representatives said they selected Georgia Tech based on its exemplary diversity and inclusion initiatives, and ability to embrace a broad definition of diversity on its campus, including gender, race, ethnicity, veterans, people with disabilities, members of the LGBT community, and other identities.

"The Georgia Institute of Technology is very pleased to be a recipient of the 2014 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) presented by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine,” said Archie Ervin, vice president for Institute Diversity. “Our commitment to excellence and diversity is woven into the fabric of Georgia Tech's strategic vision and mission as a leading technological institution in the 21st century. With the support of the Office of the President and the executive leadership of Georgia Tech, the Office of Institute Diversity will continue to lead and support the pursuit of inclusive excellence on our journey toward becoming a model campus community for diversity, equity, and inclusion.”

Other Georgia recipients of the 2014 HEED award include: Georgia Regents University, Georgia State University, and the University of Georgia