The future of DEI at local universities

MARYVILLE, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — In a move that reflects a broader cultural and political shift across Missouri, both Northwest Missouri State University and Missouri Western State University have officially dissolved their offices of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). 

Trickling down from state and federal executive orders, both universities are now reassessing, not only the names of these programs, but also the services they will offer moving forward.

Communications spokesperson for Northwest Missouri State, Mark Hornickel, said feedback is crucial during this transitional period. 

“We currently have reimagining groups gathering feedback, and we hope to have those plans finalized before the end of the school year,” Hornickel said. 

Northwest Missouri State's Stance on DEI 

In February of 2025, an internal email intended for faculty and staff was leaked to students, sparking concern and confusion over the university’s commitment to DEI.

A specific reference to “dissolving” the Office of Diversity and Inclusion was not clearly communicated, leading to misinterpretation. However, Dr. Shay Malone, Assistant Vice President of Institutional Excellence and Global Engagement at Northwest, emphasized that the core mission remains unchanged. 

“We're just broadening the scope of what we do to ensure that all students are having a great experience and are exposed to the rich experiences we offer here at Northwest,” Dr. Malone said. 

Dr. Malone added that student involvement and support services will remain, though the program must be renamed. Currently, the university is referring to it as “Global Engagement”—a temporary name. 

“We have a number of cultural events that give students immersion into different cultures,” Malone said. “We also provide peer mentoring, tutoring, and other forms of support to help students feel comfortable and included.” 

Missouri Western's Stance on DEI 

Missouri Western State University has undergone a similar realignment of its diversity and engagement efforts, also citing executive orders and state-level guidance as driving factors behind the decision. 

Kent Heier, Interim Marketing and Communications Director, said the university would not provide on-camera commentary due to internal staffing changes, particularly among personnel previously involved with DEI and Student Involvement programs. However, the university issued a formal statement in March outlining its current direction. 

“The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) will be closed,” Heier wrote in an email to News-Press NOW. “The Center for Student Involvement (CSI) will house student support programs within the Division of Student Affairs.” 

The university is also undergoing internal restructuring related to the Director of Student Activities and Engagement position.

According to Heier, these transitions make it difficult to issue detailed public statements at this time. 

Executive Orders and Preliminary Dissolution 

In February, Governor Mike Kehoe signed Executive Order 25-18, directing all Missouri state agencies to eliminate DEI initiatives and ensure compliance with the constitutional principle of equal protection under the law. 

The order prohibits the use of state funds for DEI purposes and bars agencies from considering DEI in hiring decisions. These initiatives were partially outlined in Kehoe’s State of the State address in January. 

“This administration will be based on merit and will not support DEI programs in state government,” Kehoe stated. 

Student Responses to the Changes 

In a 2024 interview, then-sophomore Miguel Paz Blanco spoke with News-Press NOW, as the national outlook on DEI grew increasingly uncertain. 

“I'm originally from Honduras, so diversity and inclusion are really important to me,” he said. 

The same sentiment remains strong among students today as reorganization efforts move forward. 

Keelan Aita, a current student at Missouri Western, said growing up in a small town in Kansas made him eager to learn more about the wider world. 

“We would go to Topeka for the Brown v. Board of Education site, and growing up with that being such an influence on my life, it's definitely weird seeing all these things that were built up to bring us together being torn down by people who think they’re unnecessary,” Aita said. 

As political pressure reshapes institutional priorities across Missouri, universities like Northwest Missouri State and Missouri Western are navigating a delicate balance between compliance and community.

"We are not just changing our focus, but we are just making sure that we brighten what we do to ensure that all students are aware of what we do, and all students are feel comfortable at Northwest and feel like this is their community and their home," Malone said.

You can read a previous report on the matter here.