Date Approved
5-27-2025
Embargo Period
5-27-2025
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A. Higher Education
Department
Higher Education
College
College of Education
Advisor
Stephanie Lezotte, Ph.D.
Committee Member 1
Tyrone McCombs, Ph.D.
Committee Member 2
Andrew Tinnin, Ed.D.
Keywords
Affirmative Action;Diversity;Holistic Review;Legal Framework;Race-neutral Policies;Socioeconomic Targeting
Disciplines
Education
Abstract
Abstract Robert Shawn Chester ATTITUDES ABOUT CAMPUS DIVERSITY IN A POST ANTI-AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ERA 2024-2025 Stephanie Lezotte, Ph.D. Master of Arts in Higher Education This thesis examines the implications of the recent Supreme Court ruling that deemed race-based Affirmative Action policies unconstitutional, focusing on its impact on diversity in higher education. Since the 1960s, Affirmative Action has been a pivotal tool in promoting racial equity and diversity in American colleges and universities, yet legal challenges have led to its dismantling in several states and now nationwide. This research explores Rowan University staff perspectives on the challenges and strategies for maintaining diversity without Affirmative Action, investigating how they prioritize diversity, the obstacles they face, and adaptations made following the ruling. Findings provide insights into how institutions can foster inclusive student bodies amid shifting legal frameworks. The focus on a single institution in a liberal region may limit generalizability to broader national trends. While Rowan staff strongly value diversity, the removal of race-based policies has created major challenges in outreach, financial aid, and clarity, prompting a shift to race-neutral strategies like socioeconomic targeting and holistic admissions. This research contributes to ongoing discussions about diversity and inclusion in higher education, offering actionable recommendations aligned with evolving legal and societal expectations and emphasizing the urgency of innovative, race-neutral strategies to preserve campus diversity progress.
Recommended Citation
Chester, Robert Shawn, "ATTITUDE ABOUT CAMPUS DIVERSITY IN A POST ANTI-AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ERA" (2025). Theses and Dissertations. 3365.
https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/3365
