Jan 27, 2025 Story by: Editor
On his first day back in the White House, President Donald Trump moved to dismantle key initiatives designed to promote educational equity for historically underserved student groups.
Through an executive order signed on Inauguration Day, Trump rescinded several directives put in place by President Joe Biden during his administration. These initiatives were aimed at advancing equity for Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs), tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and other underrepresented communities in higher education.
“To commence the policies that will make our nation united, fair, safe, and prosperous again, it is the policy of the United States to restore common sense to the federal government and unleash the potential of the American citizen,” Trump said in a statement accompanying the order. He described the revocations as “the first of many steps the United States federal government will take to repair our institutions and our economy.”
Initiatives Targeted by the Order
Trump’s executive order specifically revoked the following education-related initiatives:
- White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Hispanics
- White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities
- White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Black Americans
- White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Hispanic-Serving Institutions
These initiatives, similar in scope, were established to promote collaboration across federal agencies and support equity-driven policies in higher education. For instance, the executive order addressing HSIs sought to increase the number of students pursuing careers in STEM fields and teaching while improving the impact of these institutions.
By reversing these orders, Trump’s administration is expected to dissolve the committees overseeing these initiatives and eliminate their executive directors.
Exceptions and Concerns
Notably, Trump did not revoke the Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) initiative. Unlike the other orders, this directive originated from President Barack Obama in 2014 and established programs like the HBCU Scholar Program.
Trump’s actions align with his campaign promise to curtail diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government. However, the implications for funding remain uncertain. Minority-serving institutions like HSIs, TCUs, and HBCUs have historically faced underfunding compared to predominantly white institutions, raising concerns among advocates about whether these cuts will deepen existing inequities.
Broader Implications
While the executive order halts equity-focused efforts in education, it also reflects a broader ideological shift in federal policy under Trump’s leadership. His administration has positioned itself as critical of policies aimed at addressing systemic inequities, particularly in education.
As the new administration moves forward, it remains to be seen how these changes will affect minority-serving institutions and whether additional measures will be introduced to replace the rescinded initiatives. Source: Best Colleges
