U.S. Department of Education Gives Schools Diversity Ultimatum
HEADLINES
U.S. Department of Education Gives Schools Diversity Ultimatum (CNN.com interview with CHEA President Cynthia Jackson Hammond, February 23, 2025) The Trump Administration has given U.S. schools and colleges until tomorrow, 2/28/25, to end diversity initiatives or risk losing federal funding. A memo released by the USDE demanded schools stop considering what they call racial preferences in admissions, financial aid and hiring.
Nevada’s Education Leaders Scramble to Understand Scope of Directive on Diversity Programs (Las Vegas Sun, February 25, 2025) Nevada education leaders are reviewing demands of a recent U.S. Department of Education letter for American institutions to eradicate diversity initiatives or risk losing federal funding. “I think the ‘Dear Colleague’ letter puts more restrictions on higher education to be that haven for free and critical thinking and acceptance of diversity of thought and experiences,” said Cynthia Jackson Hammond, president of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Jackson Hammond added, “I think that there will be legal challenges, and I think that they will continue to do what is in the best interest of support for the students that are admitted.”
The Struggles and Resilience of Black Women Educators, (Forward Pathways, February 24, 2025) The documentary “Hearing Silences: 50 Years of Black Women Faculty at Northwestern” is not just a film; it’s a powerful narrative that captures the often-overlooked experiences of Black women in academia. Cynthia Jackson Hammond, president of the Council for Higher Education Accreditation, has voiced her concerns about the vagueness of the Department of Education’s guidance.
Senate HELP Committee Votes to Approve Nomination of Linda McMahon for Secretary of Education (U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education Labor & Pensions, February 20, 2025) The U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to favorably report the nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education by a vote of 12 to 11. Her nomination will now move to the Senate floor for a final vote at a later date.
STEM Accreditor Drops DEIA From Its Standards (Inside Higher Ed, February 21, 2025) The Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology has dropped diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility from its accreditation criteria and supporting documents, a move made in response to federal pushback on DEIA.