How should an academic leader decide whether to accept a formal DEI role amid organizational volatility, political discourse and uneven progress on equity, while balancing personal risk, professional trajectory and institutional impact?
How should an academic leader decide whether to accept a formal DEI role amid organizational volatility, political discourse and uneven progress on equity, while balancing personal risk, professional trajectory and institutional impact?
This case study examines a leadership decision facing Professor Adina Sterling at Columbia Business School. Set against a backdrop of institutional volatility and a shifting national climate around diversity, equity and inclusion, the case explores whether Professor Sterling should accept a Vice Dean role charged with fostering an inclusive environment for faculty, staff and students. Drawing on the historical evolution of equal opportunity policies in higher education and the workplace, as well as contemporary evidence on the impacts and backlash against DEI initiatives, Professor Sterling’s dilemma sits within the broader debates about the effectiveness, sustainability and politicization of inclusion. Students are asked to evaluate the personal, professional and institutional trade-offs inherent in taking on formal leadership roles during periods of uncertainty and polarization. Discussion will center on critical reflection of the future of inclusion frameworks and the responsibilities and roles of individuals and institutions in advancing equality amid high-tension political and social environments.
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