It's a common refrain in headlines and conversations today: “You don't need a college degree to get a good job.” In reality, however, most good jobs in this increasingly tech-focused world demand some kind of quality credential beyond high school.

But if students and families aren’t getting the message, one reason may be higher ed itself: For too long, academia has blamed falling enrollment on external factors such as COVID and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid—contributors, to be sure, but not the root cause of the problem.

Photo: Amber Arnold

For Emily Lund, work and school consume much of her 24-hour day. After getting up at 5 a.m. to feed animals on the family farm, she makes the long trek to the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where she is learning about cattle breeding. Homework takes place until 2:30 a.m., when she falls asleep before starting all over again.

Balancing such a schedule is brutal, Lund says. And making matters worse is the fact that the Universities of Wisconsin system has effectively closed five of its branch campuses, most of which predominantly served rural students.

What exactly is diversity, equity, and inclusion? DEI advocates say such efforts can stamp out discrimination and eliminate racial disparities on campus with data, policy, and interventions. Detractors, including conservative lawmakers, contend it is divisive, violates free speech, and wastes taxpayer money. 

This explanatory video explores the history of DEI and how it came under political attack.