A challenge to equity: How Maryville College may change under new legislation

2025 is a year of change. With President Donald Trump newly sworn in to office, many legislative changes are being made that will affect social climates and certain groups of people, including minorities. “Diversity, equity and inclusion” are three words that have frequented the news recently, as the government has passed a bill calling for the removal of DEI ideals from programs across the country. 

“Republican legislators have introduced a bill that would end all federal diversity, equity and inclusion programs, and end funding for government agencies, contractors, schools and other organizations that have their own DEI programs,” said Taylor Telford, a reporter for The Washington Post. 

This bill passed on Jan. 20 and calls for the removal of diversity, equity and inclusion programs within sixty days of the bill’s passing. 

“[Each agency shall] terminate, to the maximum extent allowed by law, all DEI, DEIA and ‘environmental justice’ offices and positions, including but not limited to ‘Chief Diversity Officer’ positions; [and] all ‘equity action plans,’” stated the Executive Order itself, found on the official White House website.

This order has a large impact on countless realms of life, including employment opportunities, federal grants and even college campuses, meaning that Maryville College may find itself affected by this legislation.

Maryville College celebrates people of different backgrounds and walks of life. On the official website, Maryville College has a “vision for diversity,” which recognizes the value of diversity on a liberal arts campus.

“Motivated by the educational benefits of diversity, Maryville College seeks to provide a safe and civil environment that encourages awareness of, curiosity about and respect for those whose insights and experiences come from varied traditions,” the statement says. “By design, membership in the Maryville College community promises interaction with diverse people, perspectives, and ideas.”

Because of MC’s appreciation for and integration of diversity, the campus includes a Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, a program that strives to educate about and celebrate the diversity of students and staff and their perspectives, as well as the larger community. 

“Diversity, equity and inclusion is imperative on a college campus because it is where students are often exposed to non-hegemonic environments for the first time and are able to value and learn about themselves and the importance of our differences,” said Aja Rodriguez, director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at MC. 

“DEI is about supporting, valuing, educating, celebrating and advocating around our identities and becoming adept at communicating across our differences, which make the world an enriched and beautifully vibrant and collaborative place.”

Despite being a Presbyterian-affiliated college, the campus welcomes people of every background and religion to learn and live together. Diversity in a student body is one of the focal points of a liberal arts college experience, and Maryville College is no different.

“As a church-related liberal arts college, Maryville strives to provide a quality education by creating an environment that fosters a welcoming and diverse community of belonging for all,” states the Maryville College Faith & Learning Statement, also located on the school website. Maryville College has always been a campus that celebrates diversity, and was founded on ideals of acceptance and hospitality.

Jamie Webster, the director of interfaith ministries at MC, mentioned this statement when talking about the lasting presence of DEI on campus.

“Maryville College was founded by a Presbyterian minister in 1819 and has always had a Christian-faith-related focus on hospitality and on welcoming all God’s children,” said Webster. “For instance, except for the ‘Jim Crow’ years in which integration was illegal, Maryville College has been an integrated campus. In fact, when Brown versus Board of Education made integration the law of the land again in 1954, Maryville College immediately and without fanfare reintegrated. Loving our neighbor and doing the largest possible good on the largest possible scale are foundational to the Maryville College mission.”

Because the new legislation targets DEI programs, the fate of Maryville’s Center for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is in question, and in turn, what will happen to the standards that the college holds for celebrating diversity. Aja Rodriguez spoke about the changes that may come, and how she predicts the campus may respond.

“It is concerning that there is such a large misunderstanding around DEI. The work of learning to work with, understand and value each other is vital to human life and development. We are all very privileged to be at an institution that values the work and understands it,” said Rodriguez. ”I think there will be some changes as we all navigate this new reality, but I will say that the ultimate through line will err on the side of student care, support, and advocacy.”

One of the main values of DEI is acceptance and togetherness. These values can be created on MC campus between students, faculty and staff, whatever happens to the CDEI. 

“We are all members of the Maryville College community, and we all have interests, gifts and talents to share with this community,” said Webster. “As with all communities, the health of Maryville College is related to how engaged its members are. Be kind, real, courageous and vulnerable. It’s not usually easy, but it is usually worth it.”

Aja Rodriguez highlighted the importance of checking news sources, communicating openly, and using campus resources to combat any stress that may come with all of these recent changes taking place in the federal government.

“We are in a period of overload right now, so I would recommend that people choose the information they take in very carefully and then do everything in their power to stay resilient and connected to the ways in which they can resist feeling hopeless and disconnected,” concludes Rodriguez.

In the end, it seems that it all boils down to the widely-known college slogan: ‘Do good on the largest possible scale.’ The legislation may have effects and bring about changes to official programs, but the people of the campus are the ones who can make conscious choices to stay resilient.