How DEI Rollbacks at Colleges Set Back Learning

By JT Torres | Washington and Lee University | Word In Black (WIB) – Just four years ago, following the murder of George Floyd, almost every college and university in the U.S. had at least one diversity, equity, and inclusion — or DEI — program. Many had existed long before. These programs ranged from DEI-related degrees and professional training to resources for culturally, linguistically, and neurologically diverse students. But in the last year and a half in almost every state, 159 institutions have reduced or eliminated these programs. New legislation& in states like& Texas and Florida has banned DEI programs outright. In other states, institutions are shuttering programs preemptively to avoid political pressure. This will have lasting effects. In Texas,& dozens of professional faculty and staff& have already been fired. Minority students have lost access to community groups, cultural centers and resources. Furthermore, following the Supreme Court ruling in 2023 that race could not be considered in admissions decisions,& scholarships for students with diverse racial identities& have disappeared. Eliminating DEI programs could have serious consequences for teaching and learning. As a scholar who researches the& relationship between identity and learning, my work has shown that inclusivity is a prerequisite for...