Abstract

After the June 2023 Supreme Court decision eliminating race as a consideration in college admissions, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives in higher education became a target. As a result of the Supreme Court’s decision, some states began closing or renaming their DEI offices even before President Trump’s reelection. Since President Trump began his second term, his administration has made dismantling DEI initiatives a top priority. So, now is a crucial time to continue the work of civil rights and social justice in the United States. It is essential that we have leaders that are willing to carry out DEI initiatives in higher education. This essay will examine how servant-leadership can be used to subvert the dominant power structures through using the tools of awareness, healing, forgiveness, and gratitude to encourage DEI efforts in higher education institutions.

Recommended Citation

dela Cruz, Carmen (2025) "DEI and the Servant-Leader," International Journal of Servant-Leadership: Vol. 19, Article 13.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64749/2160-8172 & 2160-8164.1437
Available at: https://repository.gonzaga.edu/ijsl/vol19/iss1/13