Spotlighting Pitfalls to Avoid in Institutional DEIJ Plan Design and Writing

As engines of economic and social mobility, higher education institutions play a pivotal role in addressing societal inequity. The effects of the pandemic coupled with renewed outrage over racial injustice has inspired progressive higher education institutions to renew commitments and take bolder action to promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ). In particular, education leaders are creating—or revising—DEI Strategic and Action Plans to set course for meaningful progress on campus.

However, EAB’s research has revealed that few plans have a bias for action, despite their intentions. As part of our transformation research agenda, EAB analyzed 50+ DEI strategic plans from a wide array of colleges and universities in the US and Canada, as well as K-12 institutions. We found that these plans, while common, are too often mired down by five common pitfalls in the planning and writing process:

1. An unclear and generic scope
2. Few actionable goals to achieve high-level aspirations
3. Insufficient accountability measures
4. A lack of ongoing communication plans
5. Little discussion about funding

Above all, a strong DEI Strategic Plan requires sincerity, credibility, and commitment. Leveraging these learnings, this webinar will outline the common pitfalls to avoid so institutions can start to establish trust with groups that have been previously disappointed by institutional efforts. We will also highlight EAB’s support services to help institutions ensure they have a differentiated, accessible, and actionable plan.