Amid recent executive orders from the Trump administration urging a nationwide reduction in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, educators and higher education institutions are rallying to ensure access to education remains equitable for all students.
A Feb. 14 letter, known as the "Dear Colleague" letter, directed colleges and universities to eliminate DEI programs within two weeks. However, leaders in higher education, such as Dr. Michael Gavin, president of Delta College, are pushing back against these demands.
“There are three branches of government, and the executive branch is not the one that makes law,” Gavin says.
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Photo courtesy of Delta CollegeDr. Michael Gavin is Delta College's fifth president.“More importantly, in Michigan, we have something called the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, which mandates that all institutions—whether in higher education or otherwise—follow state-defined civil rights laws. We are committed to upholding these laws, which include supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion in our programs.”
Gavin, a longtime advocate for DEI education and understanding, founded the national group Education for All. The group consists of more than 1,200 higher education professionals committed to promoting educational equity. They have been instrumental in encouraging colleges to keep DEI programs in place, emphasizing their importance for student success.
“I mean these words that we're fighting over right now, diversity, equity inclusion and belonging are built into the board policy of the college that I'm privileged to lead the board,” Education for all leader and Lansing College President Steve Robinson says. “We need to create a diverse workforce, we want to have a diverse student body, we want inclusive programs. We want our students to feel like they belong.”
According to Education for All, DEI programs have proven to significantly improve student success. Over three years, overall graduation rates increased by 15 percent. Hispanic graduation rates rose by 19 percent, and African American graduation rates improved by 20 percent. These numbers highlight the tangible benefits of DEI initiatives in creating an environment where all students have the opportunity to succeed.
For Gavin and other advocates, DEI efforts represent just the beginning of the work to make education accessible. Members of Education for All stress the importance of sharing personal stories and recognizing that people come from different backgrounds.
“When you look at the founding of our country, diversity was a strength, pluralism was a strength,” Education for all leader and President of Arapahoe Community College Stephanie Fuji says. “Diversity means we have different folks with different ideas, different experiences. So why would we not want to learn from them? Why would we not want to share?”
Critics argue that the national focus on these programs is overstated. However, leaders and members of Education for All remain passionate in their commitment to preserving DEI programs, viewing them as a nonpartisan effort focused on education and human rights, not political agendas.
“We're not doing anything that is Republican or Democrat,” Gavin says. “We're doing things that are educational. We're doing things that are human. We're doing things that are love based and it shouldn't be political, they are made political by other people.”
For Education for All, the focus remains on creating inclusive environments that benefit all students regardless of their background. The organization emphasizes the need for more education and understanding, especially regarding the executive orders.
The grassroots organization encourages people to stay informed and read the information for themselves, rather than relying solely on headlines or secondhand interpretations. This approach aims to reduce the misinformation surrounding DEI programs and foster a more thoughtful discussion on diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Gavin and other Education for All leaders remain committed to ensuring the nation’s colleges and universities continue to be spaces where diversity, equity, and inclusion are not only celebrated but also woven into the educational experience.
As the conversation continues to progress, many leaders in higher education are standing firm in their belief that diversity, equity, and inclusion should remain central to the educational experience.
For Gavin and his colleagues, it's about the fundamental principle that education should be accessible and fair for all, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, or any other defining characteristic.
“Equity and inclusion are the first steps toward creating a truly equal society,” Gavin says. “A society where your background, whether it’s your skin color, your family’s economic situation, or the ZIP code you live in doesn’t determine your life outcomes.”