Political and legal attacks have made DEI work challenging in many states. Some professionals are leaving, but those who stay say they’re fighting for students, faculty and the future of college equity. It is a difficult time to be a DEI professional in higher education—especially in states where the field has come under intense scrutiny from lawmakers seeking to legislate it out of existence at public institutions.

Race-conscious admissions programs were never an adequate remedy for the vast racial and socioeconomic inequities in higher education, a timely new report explains.