One of the great challenges that befalls leaders in higher education is to make fair decisions in a system rooted in hierarchy and privilege. When decisions are made, they often use terms such as “fairness” and “equality” to indicate that everyone has similar opportunities and is not inadvertently disadvantaged. Inequality abounds in higher education, and in most cases, we may have equality but certainly lack equity in our decision making, which often benefits the historically privileged and further disenfranchises the purposefully and systemically excluded (i.e., people of color, women, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, etc.).
Beyond Programs: Leadership Lessons from Ireland’s Inclusive Universities
During a recent sabbatical studying inclusive postsecondary education in Ireland, I visited four universities—University College Cork, Trinity College Dublin, Dún Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, and Mary Immaculate
Ashley Rodrigues
July 20, 2026
