Various programs at NC State are grappling with cuts to funding and changes in DEI policy.
Over the first two months of the Trump administration, diversity, equity and inclusion programs have been dismantled top-down. Many changes are being made to programs related to housing, community and careers in order to comply with federal and state expectations.
Programs focused on uplifting marginalized students like living and learning villages, certain study abroad scholarships and programs, pre-college programs and internships across disciplines are being impacted.
Technician reached out to University spokesperson Mick Kulikowski for comment on how NC State’s study abroad program may be impacted by cuts to federal funding.
“NC State is working with various partners to gauge potential impacts of any changes to federally funded programs,” Kulikowski wrote in an email.
Ronnie Chalmers, director of recruitment and strategic initiatives, wrote in an email statement to Technician that pre-college programs are being reassessed based on UNC System Directives and federal guidelines.
“On Feb. 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights issued a letter clarifying the nondiscrimination obligations of educational institutions under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964,” Chalmers wrote. “This guidance emphasizes that programs must be inclusive of all students, irrespective of race, color or national origin.”
The UNC System Office responded to this letter by issuing directives to reassert the expectations of pre-college programs. NC State is assessing its pre-college initiatives to ensure compliance with all expectations.
Chalmers wrote their goal is to provide equal opportunity for all students engaging in pre-college programs, while also complying with federal standards.
“During this period of evaluation and adjustment, some pre-college programs may be temporarily suspended or restructured to meet the updated compliance standards,” Chalmers wrote.
Impacted programs include CAMINOS, which serves Hispanic and Latinx students, a Black students program called Emerging Scholars Academy and the Native Education Forum. These programs are no longer visible on the NC State website for pre-college programs.
Living and learning villages at NC State are communities made to gather students with common interests or identities. Villages centered around identities and may be under threat include Native Space, Women in Science and Engineering and Women of Welch.
Several leaders in University Housing declined interviews. University Housing has yet to issue a statement on the closing of the living and learning villages.
Pen Hunter, a third-year studying environmental science, has had trouble with programs being shut down and uncertain futures. Hunter is concerned about their future ability to conduct research or get a job in their field of study.
Hunter said they filled out and submitted the lengthy applications for the EPA Summer Intern Program and the Inclusive NOAA Fisheries Internship Program. Soon after submitting both, they were notified that both programs were being put on hold for the summer of 2025.
Hunter has since steered away from federal positions. They said state programs have been hit less by federal changes, and private programs like nonprofits are still somewhat reliable.
Other programs undergoing changes include academic departments relying on federal research grants.
Gary Lackmann, head of the department of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences provided an email statement to Technician. He wrote the federal spending changes will have broad impacts, and it is a matter of waiting to see what will happen.
Lackman said there are many factors, including ongoing court cases, that could change the final outcome.
“In the short term, we see a lot of caution, which is warranted given the large uncertainties in the situation,” Lackmann wrote. “This may mean reduced graduate admission because many of our graduate students are supported by federal grant funding. We would not want to overextend in such an uncertain budget climate.”
He said the department will be more cautious with spending going forward.
Hunter said the MEAS program has experienced an attitude shift. They said a person in a position of authority advised them to avoid bringing attention to their queer identity in applications. Another person told Hunter the department is “all kind of screwed.”
Hunter said not only is cutting funding detrimental to research but so is limiting the diversity of the researchers.
“A lot of underrepresented communities have made great scientific advancements that have been that the credit has been taken from them,” Hunter said. “I think if you’re making it harder for people to get into certain spaces, then you’re going to miss out on a lot of valuable knowledge.”
Although Hunter now feels their dream job is no longer guaranteed, they feel the greatest loss is the important research and work that is being prevented.
“I’m hopeful that the scientific community as a whole will either bounce back or be able to resist many of these changes,” Hunter said. “But I know that it’s going to be a lot harder, at least for the next couple years, for college students and young people in general to try and get into the fields that they have been preparing for.”
