Chapter 13: Conclusion

American higher education has not changed drastically since its inception in the 1600s. However, since that time, those who participate in higher education have changed considerably. More women, Black, Latinx, and other minoritized students are enrolling, matriculating, and graduating from a variety of higher education institutions, some at the highest rates for their group in decades. Despite the diversity of constituents, higher education’s response to this diversity has not been adequate. Policy changes and pressures from a variety of stakeholders has resulted in increased policies, programs, and institutional practices that attempt to accomplish a plethora of ideas and ideals related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. Unfortunately, these efforts have not resulted in significantly transforming the academy to be truly responsive to the changing demographics of American society or higher education.