Today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Harvard University’s and University of North Carolina’s admissions programs violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment, effectively ruling against the consideration of race as a factor in university admissions.
At IIE, we believe that diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) is critically important to engaging thoughtfully with the world and remain deeply committed to these principles. We will continue to work with our partners to deliver excellence through our programs, research, and services, and will continue to infuse DEIA measures in our strategic priorities.
We know that there is a direct correlation between higher education and economic and social mobility for both individuals and societies. That is why we created the IIE Center for Access and Equity: to remove barriers and enrich and expand international education, exchange, and opportunity. Underrepresented groups, including students of color, first-generation college students, students with disabilities, and students with limited financial means, face unique challenges in higher education, and have been historically underrepresented in international exchange. IIE will continue our work, supporting our IIENetwork of institutions and the international higher education community to create access, reach communities, and deliver opportunities.
For more than a century, IIE has advocated for access and equity in higher education to provide global learning opportunities for all and will continue to do so.