Whereas one of the primary goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in higher education is to create a learning environment where all students, faculty, and staff succeed and thrive; Whereas, while students of color receive the greatest benefits of having educators that look like them, diversity benefits everyone; Whereas, when students experience a sense of belonging on campus, their academic, health, and engagement outcomes improve; Whereas having different and divergent perspectives can create positive learning outcomes; Whereas academic freedom is a cornerstone of a college or university’s mission, allowing faculty, staff, and students to pursue their curiosity and interests, free from political interference or intrusion, and advance the public good; Whereas diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts strengthen an institution’s ability to recruit, hire, develop, promote, and retain the Nation’s talent and remove barriers to equal opportunity; Whereas providing full opportunity to the Nation’s talent is vital to the health of the Nation’s economy and crucial to addressing the ongoing critical needs in the Nation’s businesses, hospitals, classrooms, and other economic and social endeavors; Whereas historically disenfranchised groups have faced barriers in participating in the classroom setting as students, faculty, and staff; Whereas a growing body of evidence demonstrates that diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible workplaces yield higher performing institutions of higher education; Whereas strong higher education programs help educators recognize the value and unique aspects of what makes each student different, and help them embrace those differences in the classroom; Whereas many institutions of higher education across the country, including minority-serving institutions such as historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and universities, and Hispanic-serving institutions, struggle to recruit and hire a more diverse teaching workforce