The Latest Breaking News from DEI

Texas A&M University marked its hiring of Kathleen McElroy with great fanfare — balloons, a banner and a signing ceremony

The popular chicken chain is shaking up its well-known (and well-loved) formula.

M. Katherine Banks told faculty she was unaware of successive, diminished offers to Kathleen O. McElroy, who was recruited to revive a journalism program. Professors demanded an investigation.

The university celebrated its decision to hire Kathleen McElroy to revive its journalism program. She says she’s staying at UT after she felt judged because of her race and gender.

DALLAS — Universities can no longer consider race when dealing out acceptance letters to higher education hopefuls. Thursday’s Supreme Court decision could set a precedent beyond college campuses — potentially affecting affirmative action’s corporate counterpart: diversity, equity and inclusion.

The supreme court’s decision to strike down diversity policies in higher education raises concerns over future of DEI in employment

According to a June 13 letter, all Texas A&M universities must provide details on a wide range of programs, trainings and presentations that touch on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts on campus, including faculty organizations and mission statements.

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives are becoming increasingly commonplace worldwide. However, when it comes to these efforts, disability is often not given the same level of attention as other factors like gender, ethnicity, culture, race or sexuality. This needs to change.

Texas lawmakers made huge investments in community colleges and created new endowments for public universities. They also banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices and gave themselves more control over university faculty tenure.

If the Supreme Court rules against affirmative action, universities risk becoming more homogenous, making it harder for companies to recruit diverse hires.

"After this you’ll really be able to identify who has always been on board and who never really was," says one diversity, equity, and inclusion specialist.