New Law Targeting DEI Makes Ohio Colleges Less Appealing to High Schoolers
A new Ohio law set to take effect this summer is already reshaping how high schoolers across the state are thinking about college, and not in a good way.
Senate Bill 1, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine, will ban diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, restrict classroom discussions of “controversial” topics, and even prohibit faculty from striking. It targets public universities and community colleges, taking effect in June 2025, and students are paying attention.
For Nakshatra Mohan, a junior in Cuyahoga County dreaming of becoming a doctor, the decision is already made. “DEI and medical education has always been really important to having equitable doctors and equitable healthcare,” she said. “If that’s not the environment… I don’t want to be here at all in Ohio.”
She’s now eyeing schools in Chicago and New York.
She’s not alone. Across Ohio:
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Michelle Huang, a junior planning to study political science and law, still plans to apply to Ohio State but is “less motivated to attend” due to the attacks on DEI.
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Claire Witalec, a freshman, says she’s already considering out-of-state options if “views are being stifled in Ohio.”
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Mayya Sharma, a sophomore, says the bill has “pushed me to go to colleges and states that have more, kinder DEI policies.”
Even faculty are concerned. John O’Keefe, president of Ohio University’s AAUP chapter, said: “This really sends a message to so many potential students that they’re not welcome and this is not a place for them.”
