The Evolving Landscape of DEI in US Higher Education
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs have long been cornerstones of American universities, aimed at fostering diverse student bodies, supporting underrepresented faculty, and creating inclusive campus environments. Launched in earnest during the 2010s, these initiatives expanded rapidly, with hundreds of colleges establishing dedicated offices, staff positions, and training programs by 2020. However, by 2026, DEI program cuts have become a defining feature of US higher education, driven by federal mandates, state laws, and political pressure.
The Trump administration's return in 2025 intensified scrutiny, issuing executive orders labeling many DEI practices as discriminatory under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. A pivotal 'Dear Colleague' letter in February 2025 threatened federal funding cuts for race-based scholarships, affinity groups, and diversity statements, though courts later blocked parts of it. Despite legal setbacks, the chilling effect persists, prompting widespread changes.
Federal Directives Fueling DEI Dismantling
The General Services Administration (GSA) proposed a sweeping certification requirement in early 2026, mandating that all 222,760 federal funding recipients—including colleges—certify no engagement in 'discriminatory' DEI practices like cultural competence training or diversity statements. Public comments close March 30, 2026, but the plan signals broader enforcement.
The State Department targeted 38 elite universities, including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Duke, and Johns Hopkins, proposing exclusion from the Diplomacy Lab research program over DEI hiring. Effective January 1, 2026, this underscores funding leverage. The Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR) investigated 45 universities partnering with the PhD Project—a nonprofit aiding underrepresented business PhD candidates—alleging race-based restrictions.
31 Universities Sever Ties with PhD Project
In a landmark resolution, 31 prominent universities agreed to end partnerships with the PhD Project, committing to review all external affiliations for race-based criteria. The list includes elite institutions like Yale University, University of Chicago, MIT, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, and public flagships such as Arizona State, Ohio State, and University of Michigan.
- Arizona State University
- Boise State University
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Clemson University
- Duke University
- Emory University
- MIT
- NYU
- Ohio State University
- UC Berkeley
- University of Chicago
- University of Michigan
- Yale University
- and 18 others
Founded in 1994, the PhD Project supported over 1,500 diverse scholars. Now facing funding woes, it removed race from applications. Education Secretary Linda McMahon hailed this as recommitting to 'merit and equality.' Negotiations continue with 14 holdouts.
Chronicle Tracks 445 Campuses' DEI Changes
The Chronicle of Higher Education documents alterations at 445 campuses across 48 states by February 2026. Common actions: closing DEI offices (e.g., Appalachian State, Auburn), eliminating chief diversity officers (e.g., Baldwin Wallace), banning diversity statements (e.g., Idaho's four-year publics), and rebranding (e.g., Brandeis' Division to Office of Access and Excellence).
| State | Examples | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | University of North Texas, Alamo Colleges | Art exhibit closures, policy revisions |
| Iowa | Three public universities | No DEI offices/training |
| Ohio | Bowling Green, Ashland | Closed divisions, renamed offices |
| California | Cal Poly SLO, CSU Long Beach | Renamed multicultural offices |
Reasons span state bans (e.g., Texas 2023 law), federal threats, and budgets. For faculty jobs amid changes, explore higher ed faculty positions.
State-Level Bans and Campus Responses
Over 30 states introduced anti-DEI bills by 2025, with laws in Florida, Texas, and Utah closing offices and defunding programs. In Idaho, all public colleges banned pronouns and cultural centers. Atlanta universities scrambled post-directives, leaving students feeling 'abandoned.'
Even blue states saw shifts: Biola (CA) eliminated its division citing budgets; Boston U restructured amid pressure.
Chronicle's full trackerImpacts on Students, Faculty, and Enrollment
DEI cuts have mixed effects. Surveys show 66% of presidents report negative campus DEI impact; students of color feel unsupported. Post-affirmative action (2023 SFFA), minority enrollment dipped 7% at selectives, with Black freshmen down 27% at top 50s, though flagships saw 8% URM rise.
Faculty diversity slowed; PhD pipelines disrupted. Critics warn of retention drops for underrepresented groups. Check Rate My Professor for diverse faculty insights.
Legal Battles and Court Rulings
Courts blocked ED's broad DEI ban (ACLU win Feb 2026), but 4th Circuit upheld some EOs. 17 states sued over race data demands for admissions scrutiny. GSA plan faces comments; experts predict more challenges.
Expert Perspectives: Backlash and Benefits
Diversity advocates like ACLU decry 'existential threat' to equity. Legal scholars note Trump's aggressive enforcement despite court losses. Presidents (87%) see financial harm; some argue merit focus benefits all. HBR suggests opening DEI to everyone as alternative.
Photo by Darren Halstead on Unsplash
Emerging Alternatives and Future Outlook
Universities pivot to 'belonging' offices, merit scholarships open to all, and individual support. Bipartisan reforms emphasize accountability. By 2027, expect stabilized diversity via outreach, not quotas. For career advice, visit higher ed career advice.
While cuts dominate 2026 headlines, resilient campuses innovate. Explore higher ed jobs or university jobs to join evolving landscape.
