In 2023, institutions of higher education are talking about and planning for diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, even in an era of increased scrutiny and challenge to these vital efforts.

In RHB’s 2023 round of strategic planning research, we’ve followed up with institutions we met during our 2020 research and examined DEIB language and goals in 54 strategic plans launched in 2022 and 2023.

During our November 1, 2023, webinar, we shared what we’ve learned about how institutions with plans active in 2020 have continued to make headway in keeping moral and ethical commitment to DEIB. We also learned more about how the presidents and chancellors of those universities set institutional understandings of concepts like diversity and inclusion, and how they locate their institution’s approach in different intellectual and religious traditions of thinking about human diversity and creating a good life for students, faculty and staff. 

We also share observations about the language of DEIB appears in more-recent plans, including cases where plans use words like access, affordability and wellness to refer to preferred outcomes without using “traditional” DEIB language. We also share excerpts of recent plans that take a variety of approaches to melding theoretical and scholarly vocabulary with practical statements about how institutions will enable the best outcomes for their constituents.

Finally, we share questions and ideas to help inspire your institution to select the right DEIB-related language and goals for your strategic plan, given your institutional history and mission and the political and cultural context in which you operate. Your institution and constituents are worth the effort.

You can watch the full webinar below and complete the form to access the presentation slides. The transcript is also available.