Hiding higher education equity work in plain sight through a practical application of queer theory

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: Division G - Section 5: Inquiry, Transformation, and Communities Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

In response to the 2025 “Dear Colleague” letter prohibiting race-, sex-, and national origin-based initiatives in higher education, this study explores alternative approaches to sustaining equity efforts. Through a thematic content analysis of contemporary scholarship, it identifies best practices for closing race-based achievement gaps. Framing these practices through Eve Sedgwick’s queer theory, particularly her concept of universalism, the study offers a reframing that aligns with legal constraints while maintaining transformative goals. Universalism emphasizes shared human alterity, fostering empathy and inclusive reform. This framework supports institutional, pedagogical, and cultural interventions without invoking prohibited identity categories, offering higher education professionals a strategic path forward for equity-minded practice amid increasing political and legal scrutiny.

Author

• Kristyn Meyer Wood, Harper College