Mizzou Student Newspaper Covers Investigation Sparked by AIM Video
September 17, 2026
Mizzou to investigate professor regarding DEI research
The release of a hidden camera video sparked the investigation
Hannah Halterman, News Editor | September 17, 2026
The University of Missouri is investigating a sociology professor after a video in which he claims that Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices are still in effect at Mizzou surfaced online on Monday.
In the hidden-camera footage released by Accuracy in Media, Wayne Brekhus, professor and sociology department chair, said he conducts research related to identity and inequality and suggested that anti-racism material is present in Mizzou coursework.
Mizzou’s official X account responded to a repost of the video on Monday night that Brekhus “will be investigated and appropriate actions will be taken.”
Mizzou also wrote in the post that they “voluntarily eliminated all DEI programs and DEI requirements within the curriculum” and that “Mizzou has complied with all federal directives to end DEI research projects.”
“Lots of us do, you know, DEI types of research and things like that,” Brekhus said in the video.
Brekhus also said that “places” put DEI under new names or other “umbrellas” to make DEI less visible, but it is not clear whether Brekhus meant these “places” to include Mizzou or if he was referring to other institutions.
In July of 2024, Mizzou reportedly eliminated its Division of Inclusion, Diversity, and Equity in response to proposed DEI legislation in Missouri. UM System President Mun Choi called the change “proactive” in a letter to the MU community.