In an era of rapid demographic change in the U.S. population coupled with declining demand for higher education, many colleges and universities are grappling with the urgent need to attract and retain diverse student, faculty, and staff populations and provide an inclusive learning, living, and working environment on campus. Such an environment is necessary to build intentional and integrated programs that enable students to realize the educational benefits of diversity and prepare graduates for careers in a global, interconnected society. In the past, the tendency has been to implement sporadic or fragmented approaches to diversity and inclusion that have not yielded the anticipated outcomes. Even the creation of diversity strategic plans is not a guarantee of demonstrable change.
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
