Higher education plays a crucial role in shaping equitable and just societies. For this reason, discussing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has become a fundamental matter in organizations, particularly within the academic and educational sectors. According to UNESCO, education has the power to transform lives, creating globally minded citizens who are capable of thriving in their environments, making healthy decisions, and building a more just, inclusive, sustainable, and safe world (Martínez, 2021).
When higher education organizations and leaders work proactively to promote equality within the university community, the outcomes in key processes tend to be superior and excellent. Similarly, when the workforce includes individuals from diverse backgrounds who feel empowered to bring forth innovative ideas based on a variety of experiences, innovation thrives. For this reason, more organizations and educational institutions are incorporating and promoting DEI policies within their protocols to protect rights and provide safe environments for their members.
It is essential to define these concepts:
Diversity: Refers to people in terms of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, language, culture, religion, mental and physical abilities, class, immigration status, and socioeconomic background. In higher education, diversity involves creating and developing strategies that ensure a working and learning environment where individuals’ differences do not interfere with their opportunities for growth and education.
Equity: Goes beyond equality by ensuring a concern for fairness, guaranteeing that every person has access to the resources and opportunities necessary to succeed.
Inclusion: A process that helps overcome obstacles limiting the presence, participation, and achievements of students or employees. It involves creating an environment that fosters a sense of belonging for individuals or groups, making them feel supported, respected, valued, and provided with equal opportunities.
Based on these definitions and concepts, we can highlight that, in learning spaces, these topics create study environments characterized by respect, empathy, and acceptance, which redefine the mission, vision, and values of educational institutions.
How Does DEI Benefit Higher Education?
Institutions that implement and engage with these topics provide opportunities to create learning spaces that encourage innovative and creative perspectives. This initiative demonstrates and reflects a genuine commitment to social justice and inclusive policies, enhancing the academic and professional reputation of the university community. In academia, modifying curricula to incorporate diverse perspectives that educate about inclusion, as well as developing workshops to raise awareness among faculty and service staff, are key components in preparing students for a changing, diverse, and multicultural society.
Institutions willing to make changes to their organizational structures to adopt policies and create better practices for strengthening their services in less discriminatory environments will develop a community with a strong sense of belonging among all its members.
I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes from the 5th-century Greek philosopher Socrates: “The only useful knowledge is that which makes us better.” It is recommended that, individually, professionals—especially those in academia—seek to deepen their understanding and application of these essential concepts to ensure a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community.
By: Elsa Zayas
Associate Vice President
for Student Services