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For more than half a century, colleges and universities have relied on dedicated programs to and them. Today, those programs—known as diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, programs—are .

Republican lawmakers assail the programs as being driven by liberal Democrats' to value and prioritize racial identity over merit. However, rigorous social science research shows that these programs .

As a researcher who is , here are five ways that I contend DEI programs have made a difference at colleges and universities throughout the U.S.:

1. Students perform better academically

Students from marginalized identity groups—including Black, Indigenous, Latinx and Asian students, as well as first-generation students— at schools with diversity programs, and .

As a result of DEI programs, students also report through dedicated resources and spaces for students of color.

This sense of belonging also increases when, as a part of DEI programs, .

When students feel like they belong, they at a higher rate than those who do not.

2. Students are less biased

Diversity programs have been shown to .

These more diverse environments have proved to . Increased contact between students from different racial groups results in increased understanding of different perspectives and development of trust.

Students of color also report and fewer feelings of on campus.

3. More satisfied faculty

Faculty at schools with DEI programs including mentorship . This is because of how DEI programs restructure university policies on hiring, promotion and advancement. This restructuring includes redesigning job descriptions, including more voices in the interview process and requiring implicit bias training for search committees.

Additionally, these changes result in on campus.

4. More engaging curriculum and classrooms

DEI programs produce , which results in higher quality of curriculum and classroom learning as reported by students themselves.

Faculty on campuses with greater curricular innovation on issues that affect the communities in which their students will live and work.

Engaged academic work connects classroom learning to issues that students experience directly themselves, such as racism and discrimination based on class, gender and sexuality.

5. Students are more prepared to be local leaders

As a result of DEI programs, students are .

Additionally, , including turning out to vote and running for office after graduation.

Graduating students at schools with DEI programs are also because they gain a better understanding of race and ethnicity.

DEI programs have been time-tested as changing campuses for the better and . With , going forward DEI efforts can play an even greater role in attracting more students of color and creating the conditions for them to thrive.

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