Leadership Case Study: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Challenges in Post-COVID Higher Education

Dr. Alex Taylor is the Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Colorado State University—Columbia. In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment at the university dropped, and students of color are having difficulty adjusting, leading to reduced retention. The President of the university has challenged Dr. Taylor to develop initiatives to increase enrollment. Considering recent legislation that passed banning diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education, Dr. Taylor developed a new program to bring diverse students to Colorado State University. As the new program unfolds, the university struggles to support the program amid limited resources brought on by the pandemic.