On this episode of River to River, host Ben Kieffer discusses diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in higher education, and how Republican-led legislatures around the country, including Iowa, have worked to restrict them.
First, Kieffer speaks with Chuy Renteria, a former employee at the University of Iowa. Renteria discusses changes made in the department where he worked that ultimately led to his resignation.
Later in the hour, Vanessa Miller, higher education reporter at The Gazette, explains the recent changes to DEI policy in Iowa and what these changes mean for the Regents universities going forward. Then Penn State University professor and author Brad Vivian talks about the history of DEI and the backlash against it.
Guests:
- Chuy Renteria, former University of Iowa employee
- Vanessa Miller, higher education reporter, The Gazette
- Brad Vivian, professor of Communication Arts and Sciences, Penn State University, author of Campus Misinformation: The Real Threat to Free Speech in American Higher Education
