In May, 117 faculty signed an open letter addressed to President Julie Kornfeld expressing their growing concern about “the diminishing institutional support for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at our institution.”
When asked about these concerns, Kornfeld told the Collegian that shutting down the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) “was never on the table.” Instead, Provost Dianna Shandy is looking to create a new role to support the department’s sole current member, though Kornfeld noted that the position may “look a little bit different.”
Sent by Pamela G. Hollie Chair in Global Challenges and Professor of Psychology Irene López, the email stated that there had been a “notable institutional silence” surrounding DEI issues at a time when historically marginalized communities on campus “are facing heightened uncertainty, hostility, and scrutiny.”
Over the last six years, ODEI has lost four full-time staff members. Other faculty and staff have temporarily supported and sustained the work of these positions. Dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Chris Kennerly is the only remaining full-time ODEI staff member.
López and other faculty wrote the email following the departure of Professor of English and Creative Writing Ted Mason, who served as the associate provost for diversity, equity and inclusion. According to the email, there had been no clear communication about whether the position would be filled following his departure from the office.
“We’re not sunsetting [ODEI] or the program. … That office will probably not be as big as it was, just because of some of the resource restrictions we have on campus,” Kornfield said, adding, “none of that reflects a lack of commitment to the work of that office.”
In June, Kenyon posted a job listing for assistant director of diversity, equity and inclusion. “We have attempted two searches, but both were unsuccessful,” Kennerly said in an interview with the Collegian. “Just recently, we got permission to do a search again for a new [full-time employee]. We are trying to fill, at a different capacity, the assistant director slot.”
Kornfeld commissioned Kennerly and Vice President for Student Affairs Celestino Limas to form a group of students, faculty and staff to provide recommendations on the future programmatic direction of ODEI. The committee is composed of three student representatives, two faculty members, two staff members and co-chairs Kennerly, Limas and Trustee Hope Harrod. They are tasked with reviewing the state of DEI at Kenyon, then sending a list of appropriate accommodations in October.
Since the creation of ODEI in 2014, the enrollment of Hispanic or Latine students has increased by 3% while enrollment of international students and students who identify as two or more races has increased by 6%. Additionally, there was a 12% decline in the enrollment of White students between 2012 and 2025. The enrollment rate of Black and Asian students has remained relatively stable over the last 15 years.
López declined to comment on the open letter but encouraged students to speak out and get involved in DEI initiatives on campus.