The Future of DEI in Higher Education

The Harvard EdCast

The Supreme Court’s decision to end race conscious admissions and -- actions taking place in many states to curb diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts on college campuses – has raised the question: what is next for DEI in higher education? Rich Reddick, a leading thinker on DEI in higher education, knows that the field needs to regroup and rethink the future of diversity – something on the minds of most college administrators.

“Many folks this summer, we all were sort of in a funk, you know. It's just disappointing to know that the work and the research that has gone for the last 40 years, sort of, being dismissed,” says Reddick, the associate dean for equity, community engagement, and outreach for the College of Education at the University of Texas at Austin.

“I remind people in both Fisher cases, there are amicus briefs submitted by the Fortune 100 and the military saying [diversity] is something that's critical to our ability to be competitive. Having a diverse population and having students have an opportunity to learn from each other and expose to each other's identities is such an important part of what makes us competitive economically, socially, politically. So that can't go away,” he says, reminding that this is a time for applicants to lean into diversity in college admissions and for colleges to lean on partners in higher education to continue their commitment to diversity.

In this episode of the EdCast, Reddick shares his reaction to the Court’s decision, how it has impacted and changed his work with college administrators, and ways for those doing the challenging work of diversity today to stay committed to the fight.