Professor of Clinical Practice, Special Assistant to the Provost for University Engagement
Leading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education
What You'll Learn
- Understand the historical narrative of institutions as well as structures that have created instances of inclusion and exclusion in universities.
- Describe how transformational leadership is enacted for diversity, equity, and inclusion in a complex and contested environment.
- Analyze the strategic diversity planning process and documents of a selected institution.
5 Modules
15 Hours
3 hrs per module (approx.)
Rating
About Leading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education
This course is open to professionals interested in learning more about leadership in higher education for a changing demographic or interested in developing their own leadership skills. The very idea that individuals can be taught to lead is not without its skeptics. Reasonable people, even some scholars in the field, point to the important traits, skills, and attributes that are observed in many visible leaders and contend that certain qualities necessary for effective leadership are not easily transmitted. To accept this premise and conclude that some people are born as natural leaders and others cannot be expected to lead at all is to make a mistake at the other end of the logical spectrum. We believe that leadership can be taught as long as it is concurrently nurtured, that most people possess a constellation of strengths around which they can construct their own leadership philosophy and approach, and that leadership development programming—if done well—can be transformative for organizers and participants.
Course Level Objectives:
Understand the historical narrative of institutions as well as institutional structures that have created instances of inclusion and exclusion in colleges and universities.
Describe how transformational leadership is enacted for diversity, equity, and inclusion in a complex and contested environment.
Compare legislative, governance, and public accountability and expectations in relation to contemporary issues in higher education.
Analyze the strategic diversity planning process and documents of a selected institution.
Recommend innovations and opportunities for transformational change at various levels of the ecological model using the strategic diversity planning process as a tool.
Skills You'll Gain
- Diversity Equity & Inclusion Initiatives
- Diversity Equity & Inclusion Policies
- Higher Education Leadership
- Social Justice
What You'll Earn
- Certificate of Completion:
- Certificates of completion acknowledge knowledge acquired upon completion of a non-credit course or program.
Welcome Message
Welcome to Leading for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Higher Education, a course designed for professionals seeking to strengthen leadership capacity in increasingly diverse academic environments. This course explores how leadership can be learned, nurtured, and practiced to advance equity and inclusion in higher education. You will examine historical and structural contexts, engage contested campus issues, and develop strategies for transformative, values-driven leadership that supports access, belonging, and institutional change.
This abbreviated syllabus description was created with the help of AI tools and reviewed by staff. The full syllabus is available to those who enroll in the course.
Course Schedule
Module 1: Leadership Challenges of the 21st Century
- Reading: Syllabus
- Reading: Module 1 Overview
- Video: Re-envisioning Higher Education Leadership for the 21st Century
- Reading: Help us learn more about you!
- Video: Leading Toward Greater Inclusion, Diversity & Equity In Our Institutions & Society Part 1
- Video: Leading Toward Greater Inclusion, Diversity & Equity In Our Institutions & Society Part 2
- Discussion Prompt: Reflection
- Video: Leadership & The Diversity-Inclusion Paradox
- Video: Leading Towards Equity
- Video: Map Exercise
- Discussion Prompt: Campus Map Labeling Activity
- Video: Our Culture of Creating Knowledge
- Video: Tools for Developing Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
- Video: Past Decisions with Modern Impact
- Video: Defining Knowledge, Tools & Courage
Module 2: Bias of Consciousness
- Reading: Module 2 Overview
- Video: Historical & Structural Roots: The American System of Higher Education
- Reading: Video: Long Beach City College - "Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Conference" - Keynote Speaker: Daryl G. Smith 2012
- Reading: The Drama of Diversity and Democracy: Higher Education and American Commitments
- Reading: Op-Ed: The Missing Students of Color and the Rest of Us
- Reading: Dr. Betty Overton-Adkins
- Video: A Word Regarding HBCUs
- Reading: Video: The history and importance of the HBCU experience
- Video: Institutional Type Leaders in Action: Part I
- Discussion Prompt: Structures of Exclusion
- Video: Knowledge, Tools, Courage
Module 3: Contested Discourse
- Reading: Module 3 Overview
- Video: Framing the Conversation: Contested Discourse
- Reading: Video: Dog Whistle Politics
- Reading: Racial Tension and Protests on Campuses Across the Country
- Reading: Have We Learned Anything From the Columbia Rape Case?
- Reading: I Too Am Harvard
- Reading: Undocumented & Unafraid Movement
- Reading: Video: Being Black at UCLA
- Discussion Prompt: Respond to Student Voices
- Reading: Colleges need a language shift, but not the one you think
- Reading: ‘Political correctness’ has become a codeword for hate
Module 4: Strategic Diversity Planning
- Reading: Module 4 Overview
- Video: Framing the Conversation: Strategic Diversity Planning
- Video: Student Impact: Making Voices Heard
- Video: Introduction to the U-M Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Strategic Plan: Watch from 33:16 to 1:02:50
- Reading: School of Education Strategic Diversity Plan
- Video: University of Michigan Strategic Diversity Plan
- Reading: Making Diversity Work on Campus: A Research-Based Perspective
Module 5: Rethinking Leaders, Leadership, and Leadership Development
- Reading: Module 5 Overview
- Video: Rethinking Leaders, Leadership & Leadership Development
- Video: Rethinking Leadership through Personal Timelines
- Discussion Prompt: Create Your Personal Timeline Activity
- Reading: Dr. Peter G. Northouse
- Video: A Discussion of Leadership Theory
- Video: Institutional Type Leaders in Action: Part II
- Reading: Video: About the Role of Chief Diversity Officer
- Reading: An Examination of Strategic Diversity Plans and Processes at Select Research Institutions
- Reading: Optional Readings in Diversity and Leadership
- Reading: Post-Course Survey
Grading Policy
Course materials and assessments are self-paced and remain open throughout the course. Learners must earn an overall grade of 80% to pass and receive a certificate. There are five discussion-based quizzes that are worth 60% of your final grade and a final assignment worth 40% of your grade.
Course content developed by U-M faculty and managed by the university. Faculty titles and affiliations are updated periodically.
Intermediate Level
Some related experience required
