Race and Diversity in Higher Education after Trump 2.0: Perspective from Four Books

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

In recent years, two pivotal developments have had massive repercussions for higher education institutions across the country: The rise of the anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) movement and the Supreme Court ruling restricting race-conscious admissions. The collective impact of these events became even more catastrophic during the second Trump administration. In this symposium, we will assemble a group of scholars who have written books addressing the anti-DEI movement or Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA), as well as a journalist covering higher education for a national newspaper. Each participant will share reflections on how their work informs understanding of, and responses to, the ongoing attacks on racial diversity in higher education.

Sub Unit

• Division J - Postsecondary Education / Division J - Section 6: Society, Culture, History, and Change

Chair

• Joseph Sturm, Pennsylvania State University

Papers

• Before They Banned Critical Race Theory, They Banned Mexican American Studies: Lessons from Tucson - Nolan L. Cabrera, University of Arizona

• “What If Your Research Is the Problem?” Repressive Legalism and Scholarly Resistance - Richard J. Reddick, University of Texas at Austin

• Admissions after SFFA v. Harvard and Trump 2.0 - Julie J. Park, University of Maryland

• Reflections on Asian Americans and Affirmative Action Following SFFA v. Harvard - OiYan A. Poon, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Session Organizer

• Julie J. Park, University of Maryland

Discussant

• Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times