The legacy of exclusion within higher education shapes current perceptions and practices in academia; it is also the essential lens through which to view the present reactionary climate against efforts supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in higher education and elsewhere.


For centuries, access to higher education was reserved for wealthy white men. This book details and counters a number of the most strident criticisms of higher education and illustrates that many of these criticisms are inextricably tied to the opening of higher education to women, students of color, and others whose identities have historically been excluded. These expansions require addressing a host of needs-not merely financial but emotional, psychological, and social as well-to establish a true sense of belonging for all students. This includes acknowledging past injustices and actively creating environments that support all students. Brendan Cushing-Daniels advocates for a commitment to equity in education and promotes greater access to the intellectual and economic benefits of a college degree, indicating that a more inclusive approach will benefit both individuals and society as a whole.