2022 Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success

A recent AAC&U survey found that nearly half of higher education professionals believe that recognizing and overcoming persistent inequities is among the most significant challenges now facing colleges and universities. More than a third believe that building capacity for institutional transformation is also a significant challenge. Speaking directly to these identified needs, the theme of the 2022 Conference on Diversity, Equity, and Student Success sends a clear message about the work ahead: it will take more than just words to overcome these challenges.

Over the past year many institutions have released statements condemning the racial and social injustices in our communities, and institutional leaders have acknowledged that strategic reform is urgently needed to address structural racism and inequities in higher education. Making real progress toward sustainable transformation will take more than just words. The reality is that most institutions continue to struggle with identifying a process for engaging in the deep interrogation of practices, policies, and structures needed to achieve the goals outlined in these statements.

AAC&U invites you to join us for a conference that will go beyond the rhetoric and prioritize campus strategies, institutional culture, and accountability in operationalizing the values of equity and diversity.

Conference sessions will

• explore the experiences of institutional and community participants;
• identify barriers that are hindering our progress; and
• promote discussion of the privileges, the biases, and the false belief in a hierarchy of human value that are embedded in our systems, structures, and policies.

It is imperative that we stay focused on making progress towards transformation that can be achieved and sustained, and the efforts that represent more than just our words.