Johnson County Community College eliminates DEI office, citing Trump executive order

Following the Trump Administration’s executive order to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, Johnson County Community College announced Friday that it will disband its Office of Inclusion and Belonging and make other necessary changes to comply with the federal requirements.

“To clear up any confusion about the work that we do at JCCC, it is in our best interest to disband the Office of Inclusion and Belonging, effective immediately,” Interim President Judy Korb wrote in an email that The Star obtained a copy of to JCCC employees Friday morning.

A spokesperson for the college confirmed the contents of the email and said that no one has lost their job as a result of the changes.

In the email, Korb said eliminating the office “was not decided lightly” and that the college’s administration consulted with its board of trustees on the matter.

As of Friday morning, the office’s webpage was down.

Korb suggested the stakes of ignoring the federal order were high.

“Failure to comply could risk federal financial aid funding for our students, and that is not an option,” she wrote.

President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order in January that requires programs that utilize “race- and sex-based preferences” often labeled as diversity, equity and inclusion be eliminated “to the maximum extent allowed by law.” The order directs the Department of Justice to investigate DEI in educational institutions that get money from the federal government.

This action follows his campaign promise to “protect equal opportunity and force schools to end discriminatory admissions policies,” according to a White House fact sheet on the executive order.

“It does not change our mission, our vision, or our values,” Korb wrote. “JCCC will comply with the law while maintaining an environment where all students, faculty and staff are welcome, respected and supported.”

“We will focus on those actions that create a positive environment rather than on labels or words that could be misconstrued.”

The University of Kansas shrunk its Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging and assigned its leader new job responsibilities following pressure from Republican state lawmakers last year, according to previous Star reporting.

The executive director role for JCCC’s Office of Inclusion and Belonging had been vacant for months ahead of the decision to close the office, according to a college spokesperson. He said the former director, Marquis Harris, had left the role in September 2024 to pursue other opportunities.

Korb said in her email that the college must do all it can to remain invested in its students’ success.

“We will share additional information as it becomes available and will offer appropriate opportunities for dialogue as we work through these changes together,” Korb said.

This story will continue to be updated as we learn more.

This story was originally published February 28, 2025 at 1:47 PM.