Higher Education
As Trump nixes DEI, foolishness persists in Oklahoma higher ed
January 22, 2025
Brandon Dutcher
On his first day in office, President Donald Trump signed an executive order abolishing “illegal and immoral discrimination programs, going by the name ‘diversity, equity, and inclusion’ (DEI)” in the federal government.
Meanwhile in Oklahoma, here are some current job postings.
The College of Journalism at the University of Oklahoma is hiring an Academic Advisor. Job requirements include the “ability to work well in a diverse and inclusive environment through commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.”
The Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences is hiring an Assistant or Associate Professor of Cell Biology. “The department is interested in and values candidates who have experience working with diverse and underserved populations, and have demonstrated a commitment to improving the diversity, equity, and inclusivity of their academic communities.”
The Center for Student Life at the University of Oklahoma is hiring a Community Engagement Coordinator. Essential duties include “serving as the primary advisor for the Queer Student Association and secondary support advisor to all departmental student groups advised by Student Life.”
The Department of Anthropology at the University of Oklahoma is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct research on the North American fur trade. The ideal postdoc “will be interested in strengthening their skills in informatics, student mentorship, and diversity, equity, and inclusion practices.”
The Department of Psychology at Oklahoma City University is hiring a Clinical Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology. Applicants must submit a statement discussing “their views of and experiences with diversity within these professional areas.” Applicants who have additional questions about the position may contact either the search chair or the “diversity advocate.”
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (USAO) is hiring an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts. “The theatre arts program strongly encourages applications by women and members of other historically under-represented groups.”
By “historically under-represented groups” something tells me they don’t mean conservatives.
At a Heritage Foundation event I attended in May 2024, Chris Rufo remarked that state legislatures in red states—he specifically mentioned Oklahoma—need to start exercising oversight of their public universities. He’s right.
Moreover, The Wall Street Journal recently reported (“Christopher Rufo Has Trump’s Ear and Wants to End DEI for Good”) that “Rufo has an invitation to Mar-a-Lago, where he will present the president-elect’s team with a plan to geld American universities by withholding money if they don’t pull back on diversity measures.”
[Photo credit: Associated Press. For more stories about higher education in Oklahoma, visit AimHigherOK.com.]