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Article

DEI Research in Higher Education: Results from a Study at an American Minority-Serving Institution

by
Nicole Hollywood
1,* and
Katherine Quinn
2
1
Office of Assessment and Accreditation, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
2
Department of Hospitality and Tourism, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD 21853, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Trends High. Educ. 2025, 4(3), 49; https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu4030049
Submission received: 4 June 2025 / Revised: 1 September 2025 / Accepted: 2 September 2025 / Published: 4 September 2025

Abstract

Diversity, equity, and inclusion, most commonly known as DEI, serves as a framework for practices that promote the fair treatment and full participation of all members of a community. Culturally responsive teaching and critical pedagogy are commonly associated with DEI as part of the larger strategy to validate and inspire learners while improving their self-efficacy and using education to challenge oppressive systems. While DEI is becoming increasingly better known in higher education, Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs) are heralded in the literature as a model for this work. Nevertheless, there is relatively limited empirical research exploring facets of DEI and culturally responsive teaching on HBCU and other minority-serving institutions’ campuses. This paper examines the campus of an HBCU located in the Mid-Atlantic United States, with an institutional commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, via a comprehensive DEI climate study that included separate surveys of students and faculty/staff. More specifically, the study explored whether all community members consider the campus inclusive, whether all community members experience a culture of belonging, whether adequate resources and supports exist for all campus members to succeed, whether faculty exhibit culturally responsive teaching practices, and whether the perceptions of faculty and staff differ from those of students. The purpose of the study was to help address the gap in the DEI literature exploring the practices of minority-serving institutions. According to the results, participants found the University to be an inclusive place, expressing strong satisfaction with the campus climate and experience. Further, when the presence of culturally responsive teaching practices was explored, strong evidence was indicated. Possible areas for improvement include greater supports and resources for LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, and disabled community members.
Keywords: DEI; diversity, equity, and inclusion; HBCU; culturally responsive teaching: diversity studies; inclusive education; supporting minority learners; CRT in education; intersectional theory; critical pedagogy DEI; diversity, equity, and inclusion; HBCU; culturally responsive teaching: diversity studies; inclusive education; supporting minority learners; CRT in education; intersectional theory; critical pedagogy

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MDPI and ACS Style

Hollywood, N.; Quinn, K. DEI Research in Higher Education: Results from a Study at an American Minority-Serving Institution. Trends High. Educ. 2025, 4, 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu4030049

AMA Style

Hollywood N, Quinn K. DEI Research in Higher Education: Results from a Study at an American Minority-Serving Institution. Trends in Higher Education. 2025; 4(3):49. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu4030049

Chicago/Turabian Style

Hollywood, Nicole, and Katherine Quinn. 2025. "DEI Research in Higher Education: Results from a Study at an American Minority-Serving Institution" Trends in Higher Education 4, no. 3: 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu4030049

APA Style

Hollywood, N., & Quinn, K. (2025). DEI Research in Higher Education: Results from a Study at an American Minority-Serving Institution. Trends in Higher Education, 4(3), 49. https://doi.org/10.3390/higheredu4030049

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