Institutional buy-in on DEI took big hits in 2024. At least four states eradicated related initiatives across their public higher education system, and several large corporations—including Boeing, Walmart and Harley Davidson—dismantled their DEI offices. McDonald’s, citing the Supreme Court’s decision to end affirmative action, became the first major corporation this year to erase “diversity” from its corporate lexicon.
Furthermore, President-elect Donald Trump’s administration has promised to pursue legal action against universities and companies allied with DEI initiatives, Reuters reports.
While efforts to further curtail DEI will continue into 2025, college students—regardless of political affiliation—are far more optimistic about diversity initiatives on campus, according to a new survey from College Rover.
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The college navigation tool surveyed 1,000 American college students and found that 70% or more describe the overall impact of DEI programs as positive and that related programs are an effective tool to promote social justice. More than half of the self-proclaimed Republicans surveyed agreed with both statements.
Nearly one-third of Republicans said DEI initiatives have made them rethink certain issues (31%) and that they would be interested in taking a class on race, gender or identity (30%).
Among all respondents who took such a class, students said it made them aware of systemic barriers, shaped their perspective on social justice and influenced their understanding of privilege. Overall, 49% became more open to diverse perspectives after experiencing a DEI program.
Another survey conducted by the Idaho State Board of Education showed that the state’s college students are resoundingly against its recent decision to ban DEI across public higher education. About 80% of 687 surveyed by the board ahead of last December’s vote opposed the ban.
