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Just four years ago, following the murder of George Floyd, almost every college and university in the U.S. had at least one diversity, equity and inclusion—or DEI—program. Many had existed long before. These programs ranged from DEI-related degrees and professional training to resources for culturally, linguistically and neurologically diverse students.But in the last year and a half in almost every state, have reduced or eliminated these programs.

New legislation has banned DEI programs outright. In other states, institutions are shuttering programs preemptively to avoid political pressure. This will have lasting effects.

In Texas, have already been fired. Minority students have lost access to community groups, cultural centers and resources. Furthermore, following the Supreme Court ruling in 2023 that race could not be considered in admissions decisions, have disappeared.

Eliminating DEI programs could have serious consequences for teaching and learning. As a scholar who researches the , my work has shown that inclusivity is a prerequisite for how students form their identities in relation to the content they learn. For example, , if not impossible, if a student does not identify positively with the subject. isn't just based on competency. It's also based on societal expectations, such as stereotypes of who is most likely to become a mathematician based on demographics—including racial, ethnic and gender identities.

Why identity matters in learning

Research shows that if they attend a historically Black institution versus a predominantly white one. Why? Because learning isn't just about the curriculum offered. It's also about students feeling connected to and supported by their institutions. When institutions represent a single cultural identity, students with minority identities can feel excluded and are less likely to thrive.

In general, how we view ourselves relies heavily on external validation. In fact, child psychologists strongly by their character traits or behavior so that their identities do not become prematurely limited. For learning to take place, students need to identify with the content, which becomes especially difficult when they feel like their identities are not welcomed in the learning environment.

Effective teaching emphasizes students' identities in order to make important connections with learning. For example, we know that . This is not because they can't succeed in STEM—science, technology, engineering and math—but because they aren't . Many studies demonstrate that targeting students with certain identities for support increases their academic performance .

More evidence of the link between identity and learning comes from the Gallup-Purdue Index. The large survey of more than 30,000 college graduates measured the academic experiences that most prepared them for life. Near the top of the results: "." The goal of DEI programs is to make sure everyone feels cared about as a person. Eliminating these programs means further who have historically faced discrimination.

How DEI programs ensure everyone gets to learn

Through my research, I have found that DEI training increases teachers' awareness of diverse identities, helping them to design courses that are . DEI programs also often include the creation of dedicated spaces and initiatives so that students can experience from other students like them, even when it feels like their identities are not otherwise welcome on campus.

A Gallup and Lumina Foundation report found that Black students are than other students, and Black and Hispanic students are the most likely to have thought about leaving. If all students , they cannot learn.

Lawmakers can roll back DEI programs, but they cannot remove identity from the learning context. Colleges and universities continue to admit . Without programs of support, I believe these students are more likely to be harmed rather than helped by college.

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