THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPE OF DEI IN HIGHER EDUCATION - Considerations and Implications for Student Affairs Faculty in the Southern United States

Oct 15, 2026

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A reflexive essay examining how anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) legislation is reshaping public higher education in the southern United States. Over 136 anti-DEI bills introduced since 2023 are linked to changes in university programs and structures, creating practical and ethical challenges for student affairs professionals. The authors argue student affairs faculty must prepare current and future practitioners to foster inclusive environments, support holistic student development, and sustain DEI engagement in curricular spaces despite the evolving sociopolitical climate.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Principles & Shifting Priorities

Care and concern for the student

Social justice and inclusion in professional standards

Role and Responsibility of Student Affairs Faculty

Classroom space, curriculum, and inclusive pedagogy

Preparing equity-minded practitioners

THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPE OF DEI IN HIGHER EDUCATION: CONSIDERATIONS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR STUDENT AFFAIRS FACULTY IN THE SOUTHERN UNITED STATES Shannon R. Dean-Scott Texas State University Paige Haber-Curran Texas State University Abstract In this reflexive essay we examine the shifting landscape of higher education in the southern United States, focusing on the impact of anti-diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) legislation on public higher education. Across the United States over 136 anti-DEI bills have been introduced since 2023, significantly affecting university programs and structures. This essay explores the challenges faced by student affairs professionals and the ethical responsibility of faculty members in student affairs professional preparation programs to prepare practitioners to foster inclusive environments, focus on students’holistic development, and serve all students.Through sharing our reflections and experiences, we highlight the importance of DEI principles in student affairs and advocate for continued engagement in DEI discussions in curricular spaces. The essay underscores the critical role of student affairs faculty in promoting equity and inclusion within the current sociopolitical climate. Keywords: DEI, Texas, legislation, professional preparation, faculty Please direct inquires about this manuscript to: Paige Haber-Curran, ph31@[txstate.edu.ORCID](txstate.edu.ORCID) iD: [https://orcid.org/0000-0002-](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-)[ ](https://orcid.org/0000-0002-)3596-0314 College Student Affairs Journal, Volume 43(2), pp. 21-25 ISSN 2381-2338 Copyright 2025 Southern Association for College Student Affairs All rights of reproduction in any form reserved. 22 College Student Affairs Journal Vol. 43, No.1, 2025 which strongly emphasizes equity, inclusion, and social justice (ACPA/NASPA, 2015; Dean-Scott et al., 2024; Reason & Broido, 2017).We believe this is even more pivotal now than ever as many spaces, programs, and communities that students may have previously sought out have been eliminated from institutions (e.g., DEI offices, LGBT centers) . It is the responsibility of higher educational professionals, while working within the confines of the law, to help foster a sense of belonging and inclusion across all student affairs offices and functions. Given the current sociopolitical landscape, it is critical that faculty in student affairs preparation programs also recognize their role and ethical responsibility. Faculty members are in a pivotal position of preparing current and future student affairs professionals to do just this—to bring a DEI lens to their work to support students from all backgrounds and identities and help cultivate an inclusive and welcoming campus community. In this reflective essay, we consider the challenges related to anti-DEI legislation through our perspectives as two faculty members in student affairs professional preparation programs.We briefly overview key principles of the student affairs profession relevant to this discussion, followed by our own experiences, reflections, and work faculty in Texas. With 79 student affairs graduate preparation programs across the 14 states in the SACSA region (SACSA, n.d.), we see this conversation as critical not only for guiding student affairs graduate programs in the region, but also for the larger campus communities in which graduates of these programs will be working and leading. Principles & Shifting Priorities The student affairs profession is guided by established principles (Reason & Broido, 2017; Saunders & Wilson, 2017).One foundational principle is care and concern for the student (Saunders & Wilson, 2017).Early notions of student development guiding the profession emphasized holistic development, encouraging educators to consider THE SHIFTING LANDSCAPE the whole person, including but not limited to their race, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities (Saunders & Wilson, 2017). Forty

FAQs

How does anti-DEI legislation affect public higher education according to the essay?

The essay describes how anti-DEI legislation introduced since 2023 is significantly reshaping university programs and structures, narrowing the spaces and communities students may access.

What challenges do student affairs professionals face under the current sociopolitical climate?

Student affairs professionals face constraints on openly discussing DEI-related issues, which affects how they can support students as they navigate political and higher-education pressures.

What ethical responsibility do student affairs faculty have in professional preparation programs?

The authors emphasize that faculty are ethically responsible for preparing practitioners to apply a DEI lens, cultivate inclusive environments, and support students’ holistic development while working within existing systems and legal constraints.

Oct 15, 2026

Upload by jayni