Reconsidering using the terms “excellence” and “inclusivity” together: Opinion

Postsecondary institutions need to reconsider using the terms “excellence” and “inclusivity” together, as this can undermine EDI-focused goals, writes Andrea Y Simpson. Simpson argues that phrases such as “inclusive excellence” often focus on ensuring that an institution’s “standards” continue to benefit the majority. The author writes that “excellence” is often ambiguously applied to diversity and inclusion, allowing those judging who is “excellent” to use mainstream industry standards to determine who is more “excellent” than others. Simpson writes that this may lead to those who fit standards and work in established areas of their discipline being chosen as “excellent,” while those who would present diverse viewpoints are not considered “excellent.” “‘[M]aking inclusivity excellent’ means it is easier to exclude qualified minority applicants because it is conveniently ambiguous,” writes Simpson. Inside Higher Ed (Acct. Req.) Note: Archived stories may contain dead links or be missing source links.