‘Inclusivity’ replaces ‘Diversity’ as Missouri State tries to obscure DEI

September 29, 2026

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Schools across the country have made it their mission to disguise their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts so they stay under the radar. 

But Accuracy in Media is uncovering the truth. This ideology is alive and well, with only a slight makeover. 

Missouri State University Senior Academic Adviser Kristen R. Thomas recently told AIM’s undercover journalist, “This used to be called multicultural education and diversity, because of all the DEI conversations and politics at state levels and things like that, they changed the wording to inclusivity.”

On AIM’s hidden camera, staff reiterated this change was done so as not to draw suspicion. 

“We haven’t removed that diversity language. I don’t think there is pressure on that one either,” Fellow Senior Academic Adviser John A. Hall said about a core criminology course at the school. “We haven’t changed it. We haven’t had to change the title or anything like that.”

The brazen defiance of these administrators comes after Gov. Mike Kehoe signed an executive order banning DEI in state agencies last year. 

“Missourians deserve a government that treats all individuals equally, without preferential treatment or discrimination based on immutable characteristics,” he said at the time. “Our state agencies must operate under a framework that ensures fairness, equal opportunity, and merit-based decision-making. This order reaffirms Missouri’s commitment to a constitutional, color-blind approach that serves all citizens fairly.”

Clearly, this isn’t enough to stop universities hellbent on promoting DEI. 

States like Missouri must strengthen their laws against DEI in public institutions and make sure students are getting the education they deserve. 

After multiple similar AIM investigations in North Carolina and Kansas, both states passed laws to strengthen their own DEI bans. 

It’s time for Missouri to do the same. 

Visit SaveMissouriStudents.com now to send one convenient message to all relevant officials. Don’t let woke administrators get away with pushing radical DEI on students.

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