Introduction to the Issue
The country’s largest private funder of biomedical research has cut its funding for a program at Queens College that had focused on making science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education more inclusive and engaging for students of diverse backgrounds, the college confirmed. The Inclusive Excellence initiative, launched at the Flushing-based CUNY college in 2022 with funding from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), ended abruptly last month when the Institute cut short what was supposed to be a $505,000, six-year grant running through 2028.
Background on the Initiative
Until HHMI decided to pull the plug, the initiative had been focused on creating professional development programs to help STEM faculty members better accommodate the needs of immigrant students, students of color and students with disabilities. In the past, for example, the initiative has offered fellowships to support neurodivergent graduate students and hosted workshops for faculty to improve student interest and engagement in STEM courses. The grant was cut short days after President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to identify large foundations and corporations for potential investigations into their diversity, equity and inclusion and accessibility programs.
Reaction to the Funding Cut
HHMI spokesperson Alyssa Tomlinson wouldn’t say whether it had slashed funding for institutions in the program because of the executive order. She also declined to provide an explanation for the cut, saying only that the institute “remains dedicated to supporting outstanding scientists and talented students training to become scientists.” Desiree Byrd, a psychology professor at Queens College and a member of the initiative’s advisory board, expressed her disappointment and frustration with the decision, stating, “I was pissed. I called them cowards. It felt like an abandonment. It’s as if the work was disposable.”
Impact on the College and Students
Byrd, for her part, said she had been hopeful that the privately funded initiative at Queens College would continue on despite cuts to DEI programs across federal agencies and cuts to research funding from the National Institute of Health and the National Science Foundation. HHMI funding will continue to support the initiative for the rest of the school year, said Queens College spokesperson Maria Matteo. But after inquiries about the program, Queens College updated the initiative’s page on its website to say it “ended in February 2025” and removed a page listing its staff.
The Broader Context
In a Dear Colleague guidance issued last month, the federal Department of Education ordered universities to forgo DEI programs and activities to continue to receive federal funding. CUNY’s central office — which oversees the system’s 25 colleges — did not respond to questions about whether it plans to make pre-emptive cuts to DEI programs to avoid funding cuts. But in a Board of Trustee meeting last month, CUNY chancellor Félix Matos Rodríguez said the university is “assessing the implications of this guidance.” He added: “We are not going to panic with every single action that comes out of Washington.”
The Hits Keep Coming
To Sara López Amézquita, an assistant professor of English at Queens College and a member of the initiative’s advisory board, the HHMI program was a place where she was able to meet colleagues outside her department who are equally dedicated to making the classroom a welcoming space for students from all walks of life. Workers in STEM typically earn more than those in other professions, and the growth in STEM employment is projected to outpace those in most other fields in the coming years. But even as the number of STEM graduates has dramatically increased since 2010, Black and Hispanic adults remain underrepresented among STEM graduates and workers relative to their share of the overall population, according to the Pew Research Center.
Conclusion
The funding cut to the Inclusive Excellence initiative at Queens College is a significant setback for efforts to make STEM education more inclusive and diverse. The initiative was intended to help close the gaps in representation among STEM graduates and workers, but its abrupt end has left many wondering what the future holds for such programs. As the political climate continues to shift, it remains to be seen how institutions like Queens College will navigate the challenges of promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the face of funding cuts and executive orders.
FAQs
- Q: What was the purpose of the Inclusive Excellence initiative at Queens College?
A: The initiative aimed to make science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education more inclusive and engaging for students of diverse backgrounds. - Q: Why was the funding for the initiative cut?
A: The reason for the funding cut by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) was not explicitly stated, but it occurred after President Donald Trump signed an executive order related to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs. - Q: How will the funding cut affect Queens College and its students?
A: The cut is expected to impact the college’s ability to support diversity and inclusion efforts in STEM education, potentially affecting student experiences and outcomes. - Q: What are the broader implications of the funding cut and the executive order on DEI programs?
A: The actions may lead to a decrease in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across educational institutions, potentially exacerbating existing gaps in representation and opportunities for underrepresented groups in STEM fields.
