On Aug. 21, 2025, the University announced on its Instagram that it had changed the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) to the Division of Opportunity and Institutional Excellence (DOIE). According to the post, the intention behind the change was to “expand access and opportunity.”
Many theorize that the reasoning behind the change was in compliance with President Trump’s efforts in slashing DEI policies in institutions, threatening to cut federal funding if they refuse to fall in line. However, the University did not minimize their endeavors to promote inclusivity with the name change. According to the division’s President, Stephanie Akunvabey, EdD, the program change has only inspired more inclusivity behind the scenes.
“When I arrived at the University in August 2023, I went on a listening tour. During that time I heard from the Pace students, faculty, and staff who had championed diversity efforts at the University long before my arrival. It was clear that while there had been lots of progress, there was still a lot of frustration. The institution had followed a common model of creating small enclaves of support for students of color and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, but it hadn’t proved to be enough,” Akunvabey said during a survey hosted by the University.
Many of the University’s students were not happy with this change. The comments of the Instagram post were flooded with negative remarks. One student wrote “Why is Pace rolling over and obeying in advance?” while another wrote “me when i have no backbone.”
“It’s especially disappointing because, like, 4 years ago, Pace had so many initiatives to make this school seem more inclusive. It became a degree requirement to take anti-racism courses, and now, they’re changing it all just to appeal to conservatives. It’s like they’re just trying to change themselves to whatever opinion is most popular at the moment,” expressed junior Marisa Berrones.
“I didn’t even know they changed the policy!” Kaitlyn Peatman, a current junior, said.
“I think the entire program needs to change, because I feel like it’s not effective at all. I never felt as if the DEI program did anything. When I took anti-racism classes, I felt like I wasn’t learning anything about racism, or other races. I went out of my way to seek out classes and opportunities that would actually teach me about it, because otherwise I would never have learned, with the standard classes that Pace offers. I can imagine it wouldn’t be effective at all for somebody who wouldn’t want to explore it,” Peatman said.
The shocked reaction likely comes from the idea of the University as a non-conservative institution, considering how it has presented itself in the past, with many social justice and anti racism policies.
“I feel like the changed the name due to the current administration, in hindsight it’s not the biggest issue, but I feel like looking down we need to have more inclusion, and a lot of minorities don’t have the same opportunities, and I feel like it’s important to have it as a resource on campus,” junior Rodney Scott added.
The University’s DOIE program is hosting various Table Talks over the span of the following few weeks: starting with the New York City campus, on Sept. 15, 2025 in the Bianco room, from 12:10 p.m. to 1:25 p.m.. Followed by the Pleasantville campus, on Sept. 30, 2025, from 3:25 p.m. to 4:40 p.m. in the Kessel Student Center. Finally, concluding its talks with the Haub School of Law on Oct. 1, 2025, from 12:45 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Preston Hall.
