Diversifying Higher Education Faculty

Mission The goal of DFI is to increase the number of minority full-time tenure track faculty and staff at Illinois’ two- and four-year, public and private colleges and universities. Why DFI? In 2021, the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) developed the Illinois Higher Education Strategic plan, entitled “A Thriving Illinois: Higher Education Paths to Equity, Sustainability, and Growth,” in collaboration with a broad group of stakeholders and partners. As the Board outlined three goals built on this input, additional focus groups involving 170 people were held regionally and for specific stakeholder groups to identify opportunities and barriers to achieving the goals. Then, the Board convened a 37-person Advisory Committee to shepherd the strategy-development process, engaging nine Design Work groups of 200 stakeholders, including Board members of the IBHE, the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), the Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC), institution trustees, presidents, faculty, staff, community organizations, advocates, philanthropy, and other experts, to develop detailed recommendations. The strategies outlined in this plan are designed to close equity gaps, create educational paths that are financially sustainable for students and higher education institutions, and foster economic and institutional growth for a thriving Illinois. DFI is a statutorily authorized program that directly addresses these educational disparities. A diverse faculty and student enrollment enhances the educational experience of all students and better prepares students to work and live in an increasingly diverse world. Faculty diversity is especially critical for students from underrepresented groups. An IBHE study entitled, Opportunities for Leadership: Strategies for Improving Faculty Diversity in Illinois Higher Education (2003), found that the presence of students and faculty/staff from various ethnic groups was “very important” in the decision of underrepresented students to stay in school. However, the current status of minority representation at the faculty level finds that the average student attending a public college or university outside the City of Chicago is unlikely to have more than one course with an African American faculty member and unlikely to have even one course with a Latino faculty member during his or her college years. The DFI Initiative works to increase the number of minorities with master’s and doctoral degrees by providing financial assistance, based on demonstrated financial need, for students to complete graduate degrees. In addition, the program administrators work with higher education institutions to offer workshops and pursue other outreach opportunities to meet the goals and objectives of the Initiative.