Beeing Bee

Research Sample: Not Yet Peer Reviewed by an Academic Journal or University. 

Scientific Inquiry: Have Diversity Equity & Inclusion Initiatives in United States Universities contributed positively to Graduates, Faculty and Neighboring Communities?

Hypothesis: With preliminary knowledge of DEI programming, I hypothesize that DEI initiatives in Universities have positively influenced academic and holistic success for graduates, faculty and nearby communities. 

Abstract  

On January 20th, 2025,  The United States Government, Executive Branch made a decision to end Government Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Programs and Preferences (Executive Branch, 2025). Diversity is the profound understanding that every living being* is unique. Diversity is differences in family structures, coming to age history, and knowledge. Equity is offering everyone the opportunity to be successful. Inclusion is creating a safe, comfortable and inviting environment for all. I’m interested in learning if United States Universities use of DEI programs positively influenced graduates, faculty and neighboring communities. 

*living being : Flora, Fauna, Humans 

What are University DEI Initiatives?

Examples 

• Programming that provides more American Citizens, Residents and Guests with the opportunity to attend and be successful in higher education. 
• Programs that look at successful students* and invest in their potential. 
• Programs that invite faculty and students to enhance neighboring communities. 
• Policies that generate socioeconomic revenue. 
• Policies that influence career development and scale businesses 

*Everyone is a successful student. We are all students of life and successfully learn from someone or something. 

How Common is DEI

-There is a Division or Office of Diversity Equity and Inclusion in most United States Universities. According to Tim Minella with the Goldwater Institute, nearly 67% of Universities require students to take a DEI course to graduate (Minella, 2024). 

Executive Order Comprehension:

• The Executive Order seemed directed at Government level agencies and departments
  • Addendum at the end of the Executive Order may contradict the order
  • Promotes hiring measures that minimize holistic knowledge of the candidate. Prioritizes experience, expertise, and dedication.  
• Focusing on those factors is great once you’ve attained them. 

Potential Results following the Executive Order

• This could negatively impact communities that deserve the opportunity to be graduates and economic jewels, but lack the network, literature and technological resources. 
• Could create more local initiatives and increase community gatherings and enhancement.
  • Communities sharing knowledge and trading goods.  
  • Localized funding, support and guidance.
• Hiring, Acceptance and Services won’t consider socio-economic disparities when decision making.
  • Example: Sally is in a wheelchair and is applying for colleges. Her high school didn’t have adapted  sports programs or resources for neighboring ones.  Extracurricular experiences are enriching and everyone deserves the opportunity to engage in them. 
  • Example: Tom is applying for high-end automobile mechanic positions after working in his fathers local shop for decades. He wasn’t able to afford a University or Technical degree because he had to stay home and help his parents. Equitable scholarships welcome many students to study alongside biologically connected and affluent candidates. 

Both of these examples may still receive the outcome they desire with or without DEI specific measures. However, DEI programs offer resources for these examples to be as educated and experienced as their counterparts. 

Research questions:

• Why did the Executive Branch eliminate these programs?
  • Economic Concerns
    • US Department of Education Eliminates 
      • The U.S. Government believes that DEI was allowing unqualified candidates to receive positions they didn’t deserve. 
      • They believe that DEI initiatives are not the best use of funding 

• Which sectors have been positively impacted by DEI initiatives ?
  • Medical
    • Harvard Medical School on DEI in Health Care
      • Harvard Medical School explains why DEI practices in health care are necessary. There are communities of color that have been mishandled and underrepresented in healthcare studies. 
      • DEI practices in healthcare includes more patients in life changing treatments, and policies.
  • Environmental
    • Duke University Environmental Justice – Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Office
      • Duke University’s Diversity Equity and Inclusion Office encourages environmental justice. Environmental Justice strives to eliminate environmental degradation, including the destruction of human-occupied ecosystems. 
      • Students in the Nicholas School of the Environment have a myriad of ways to contribute to environmental justice. 
  • Economic
    • USC School of Business DEI
      • The University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business prioritizes Diversity Equity and Inclusion. They believe that DEI is foundational to positive global change. Local and native populations best determine their community’s needs. 
      • Offering a diverse range of students academic opportunities improves our global economy.
  • Academic
    • Graduate Research Scholars – UW-Madison School of Education
      • The University of Wisconsin-Madison offers a Graduate Research Scholarship for students of differing socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds. 
      • This scholarship has provided financial support to talented students who deserve graduate education. 
  • International
    • NYU Women Lead: A Global Leadership Accelerator
      • New York University’s Liberal Studies department respects Global Inclusion, Diversity, Belonging, Equity, and Acceptance (GIDBEA) as foundational principles for Global leadership and development. 
      • NYU has dedicated an initiative and ceremony that rewards innovative women who strive for success, paving an inviting path for others to pursue. 

Conclusion 

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives in U.S. Universities have positively influenced Students, Faculty and neighboring communities. Qualitative results demonstrated that DEI practices and policies have improved the lives of participants in the following sectors; Economics, Academics, Health-Care, Environmental Protection, and International Enhancement. 

Limitations 

• Limited time. This article was written in 3 days. 
• There was no case study conducted. An increased amount of time and resources would contribute to quantifiable results. 
• This preliminary not yet peer-reviewed article has qualitative results, culminated from online articles.
• Researchers bias, as there was no case study, controlled variables were omitted. 

Graphics

• Statistical Chart that gives visual evidence on communities helped over time(presence of programming) 
• X Axis: Year of policy/program presence 
• Y Axis: graduation rates, health results, environmental results, economic growth. 

Bibliography 

Communications, N. W. (n.d.). NYU women lead. NYU. https://www.nyu.edu/life/global-inclusion-and-diversity/centers-and-communities/nyu-women-lead.html 

Diversity, equity and inclusion. USC Marshall School of Business. (n.d.). https://www.marshall.usc.edu/why-marshall/dei 

Environmental justice. Diversity Equity Inclusion Office. (n.d.). https://sites.nicholas.duke.edu/diversity/expand-your-knowledge/environmental-justice/ 

Graduate research scholars. School of Education. (n.d.). https://education.wisc.edu/academics/graduate-programs/graduate-research-scholars/ 

Minella, T. (2024, April 15). Dei required: 67% of Universities Mandate “Diversity” Indoctrination. Goldwater Institute. https://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/dei-required-67-of-universities-mandate-diversity-indoctrination/ 

U.S. Department of Education takes action to eliminate Dei. U.S. Department of Education. (2025, January 23). https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-takes-action-eliminate-dei 

The United States Government. (2025, January 21). Ending radical and wasteful government dei programs and preferencing. The White House. https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/ 

Why Health Care Companies should “Walk the walk” when it comes to Dei. Corporate Learning. (2023, February 2). https://corporatelearning.hms.harvard.edu/blog/why-health-care-companies-should-walk-walk-when-comes-dei