DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

were further complicated by the pandemic, which had an outsized impact on communities of color. With campuses already struggling to provide adequate mental health services, BIPOC students face myriad obstacles as they pursue their education.

As governing bodies around the U.S. place restrictions on DEI education both at the K-12 and higher education levels, attendees suggested that we embrace the power of our students. “Students are an incredible resource,” one attendee stated. “They’re angry.”

Attendees noted that our curricula need to also embrace the history of diverse populations and provide course content that allows BIPOC students to identify with their classroom experience. Many programs represented in the room also yield graduates who work with diverse populations, so it was stressed that the curriculum needs to directly prepare students looking to serve those populations.

As the session closed, thoughts were offered on the importance of disaggregating data – a critical measure in tracking and identifying DEI efforts and creating a culture of accountability. And in the spirit of the entire session, we all, particularly those of us who are White, have a role to play in owning our own biases and actively engaging in the work. n