Do you work in higher ed? Make a difference for historically underrepresented students
Actively support faculty and students. Bring them on campus, be inclusive, and give them the resources they need to stay.
Last year, in a court case called Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against affirmative action.
What can you do?
If you work in higher education, take steps "to increase the representation and success of historically underrepresented students," says the NAACP.
- In admissions, stop privileging the children of wealthy alumni ("legacy admissions") and get rid of "racially biased entrance examinations" in favor of "a holistic approach" to evaluating prospective students.
- In hiring, choose "diverse faculty and staff."
- In student support, offer resources to "low-income and first-generation students" to help them stay in school.
- In campus culture, foster "a welcoming and supportive campus climate."
- In cross-institutional collaborations, partner with other race-conscious schools, especially those designated as "Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribal Colleges, Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs), [and] Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI)."
By the way: The NAACP describes its work as "to build Black political, social, and economic power to end racial injustice." The organization works regionally.
So, as another step you can take: You can donate to the NAACP, become a paid member (or buy a gift membership!) or volunteer at your local level.
