Students of Color Feel the Impact of DEI Rollbacks: Losing Vital Campus Support Systems

As U.S. colleges re-evaluate their diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts, students of color are feeling the impact. These changes follow the Trump administration’s push against DEI initiatives in higher education. The result? Programs that foster community and support are being cut, leaving students anxious about their futures.

Breeana-Iris Rosario, a junior at the University of Michigan, is one such student. She expressed concern as her university plans to close its DEI office and cancel programs aimed at supporting marginalized students. “It feels like we’re going backward,” she said. For Rosario, winning a scholarship and attending events tailored to Latino students helped her find a community. Now, she worries that losing these resources will leave many feeling isolated.

These DEI rollbacks have gained momentum as several states push for reduced diversity efforts in schools. A memo from the Education Department mandated that institutions remove race considerations from hiring and admissions processes. Schools that don’t comply could risk losing federal funding.

The University of Michigan was among the first to implement significant changes, and others are following suit. For example, Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland announced it would replace its DEI office with a new office focused on campus engagement. University President Eric Kaler noted his commitment to compliance in order to secure essential federal funding, which amounts to roughly $250 million annually for Case Western.

Students like Justen Pippens are concerned about losing the support previously provided by DEI offices. He described the environment as a “stress-free zone” where he received both personal and academic assistance. The removal of such resources stirs anxiety among students who rely on them, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds.

The backlash against DEI programs is also evident at the University of Virginia, where Governor Glenn Youngkin celebrated the board’s decision to dismantle their DEI efforts. Students have started to notice cuts to scholarships that benefit minority students and have raised questions about whether their identities are valued in the new environment. Tyler English, a senior at UVA, shared his concern about feeling unheard and erased.

Interestingly, these DEI rollbacks aren’t without opposition. Many educators and organizations are challenging the government’s directives in court, asserting that the vague guidelines create confusion. Paulette Granberry Russell, president of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, warned that anti-DEI sentiments are gaining traction without sufficient challenge.

The conversation around these changes is far-reaching, often highlighted on social media where students express their concerns and hopes for the future. Many worry that the efforts to reverse DEI programs will set back progress made toward inclusivity in education.

As universities grapple with these changes, younger generations face an uncertain path. Rosario, for one, fears that the cuts to support systems will make it much harder for students of color to envision themselves in higher education. “They’ve taken away our sense of community,” she lamented. These sentiments are echoed across campuses as students grapple with the shifting landscape of diversity in higher education.

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