When people mention Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—DEI for short—it’s often in the context of political fights and high-stakes arguments about what universities should and shouldn’t be allowed to do. But what if we backed up and asked, What is the positive case for DEI in higher education? For this episode, we talk to Stephanie Helms Pickett, a scholar and administrator who currently serves as Antioch University’s Vice Chancellor of Equity, Belonging, and Culture. The conversation includes a definition of terms, why universities have an obligation to help all students have a fair chance to compete, and a story about Stephanie’s shocking experience meeting her first college roommate.

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Visit Antioch’s website to learn more about the Office of Equity, Belonging, and Culture.

Read Jasper’s interview with Stephanie from last year on Common Thread.

Stephanie’s latest academic paper is “Say It Loud: Rhythms of Resistance in a Climate of Compliance: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Identity Based Student Center Staff Amid an Anti-Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Legislative Climate,” in the Journal of College and Character.

This episode was recorded February 25, 2025 via Squadcast and released March 19, 2025.

The Seed Field Podcast is produced by Antioch University

Host: Jasper Nighthawk

Editor: Nastasia Green

Web Content Coordinator: Jen Mont

Work-Study Assistants: Stefanie Paredes, Lauren Arienzale, Dani LaPointe, and Liza Wisner.

Additional Production Help: Karen Hamilton, Melinda Garland, and Laurien Alexandre.

To access a full transcript and find more information about this and other episodes, visit theseedfield.org. To get updates and be notified about future episodes, follow Antioch University on Facebook.

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To access a full transcript and find more information about this and other episodes, visit theseedfield.org. To get updates and be notified about future episodes, follow Antioch University on Facebook.