With former President Donald Trump’s focus on eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs from the national educational agenda, Mississippi legislators are now taking steps to ban these initiatives in the state’s higher education institutions.
In the Republican-dominated Mississippi Legislature, discussions surrounding DEI have intensified over recent months, with lawmakers engaging with university representatives to assess how to eliminate DEI from colleges and universities across the state. The legislators are currently defining what constitutes “divisive” educational concepts and determining the legal protections available for students and staff who feel affected by DEI-related measures.
Critics of DEI programs, predominantly from conservative circles, argue that these initiatives segment individuals into roles of victims and oppressors, potentially fueling antisemitism and promoting a leftist agenda throughout academia. On the other hand, some progressive voices contend that DEI can sometimes serve as a superficial means of illustrating support for diminishing inequality without implementing real changes. However, supporters maintain that DEI initiatives are essential for addressing the needs of an increasingly diverse student body.
In his campaign for the presidency in 2024, Trump pledged to eradicate DEI from the federal sphere, and subsequently has signed an executive order reflecting that commitment. In Mississippi, the 2024 legislative session saw the proposal of several bills aimed at limiting DEI, although these did not progress beyond committee discussions. With mounting national momentum and existing models from various Republican-led states, Mississippi legislators appear ready to advance legislation against DEI initiatives in 2025.
Republican Representatives Donnie Scoggin, Joey Hood, and Becky Currie are among those advocating for stricter DEI regulations. Scoggin, who chairs the House Universities and Colleges Committee, noted that discussions regarding the proposed bills are ongoing, with Hood’s legislation emerging as the most viable candidate for advancement.
Hood’s proposal intends to eliminate diversity training sessions that aim to raise awareness or understanding of issues pertaining to race, gender, or other federally protected classes. The bill also seeks to regulate academic curriculum by prohibiting universities from providing courses that endorse “divisive concepts.” This includes topics related to transgender ideology, gender-neutral pronouns, gender theory, and others associated with these themes.
Scoggin has indicated that the final product should be “semi-vague” in language, aiming to shield universities from a surge of legal challenges and potential funding cuts from the state. He commented on the need for a balance—enough clarity to convey the message while avoiding harm to educational institutions.
After a relatively stagnant 2024 session with minimal discussion on the matter, the momentum to establish DEI restrictions strengthened as more lawmakers expressed that voluntary compliance by universities was inadequate. Scoggin mentioned that both he and Senator Nicole Boyd, chair of the Senate Universities and Colleges Committee, conveyed to university leaders that DEI programs—which exclude benefits for veterans and individuals with disabilities—would need to be substantially reduced.
During the summer, following similar measures taken by other states, the University of Mississippi revamped its Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, alongside changes from other institutions in the state. Scoggin and Boyd stated that they consulted with campus administrators while formulating their DEI restriction proposals.
In the Senate, two bills aimed at regulating DEI are currently under consideration: one from Boyd and another from Senator Angela Hill. Boyd’s bill is expected to be the primary legislative vehicle in that chamber, as Hill’s proposal is likely to face delays due to being assigned to multiple committees for review.
Uniquely, Boyd’s legislation does not establish a private right of action for students that could lead to lawsuits against faculty or administrators for perceived violations. Instead, it stipulates that universities and community colleges must implement a system for confidential complaints and disciplinary measures against staff who infringe upon the regulations.
“I aimed to ensure that a college student who feels they are being evaluated unfairly due to certain policies wouldn’t need to resort to legal action,” Boyd explained. Her proposal additionally aims to enhance the data collection on enrollment and graduation statistics at state institutions.
These policy advancements are occurring amid potential political maneuvering for the 2027 governor’s race in Mississippi, with notable figures like State Auditor Shad White and Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann possibly entering primary contests. White has positioned himself as a strong advocate for banning DEI, critiquing Hosemann for allegedly obstructing such efforts in the Legislature. Meanwhile, Senator John Polk, an ally of Hosemann, recently challenged White regarding a business partnership he has with a consulting firm that specializes in DEI.
The Senate Universities and Colleges Committee is poised to address DEI legislation during its upcoming committee meeting.
