We find ourselves at a critical juncture as states across the nation enact anti-diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) legislation, and the Trump administration in its earliest days has attempted to shut down DEI initiatives across the federal government and other sectors, including higher education.

Our research shows that a Shared Equity Leadership (SEL) approach has great potential for navigating Restrictive Political and Legal Environments (RPLEs). SEL is a collaborative approach to equity work in which responsibility is distributed and embedded across campus rather than concentrated in a single role or office.