A planning committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will organize a symposium series investigating the impact of the Supreme Court's Affirmative Action decision and its societal implications on DEI policies and practices that affect higher education and professional schools. The series will explore the impact of legal reversals on DEI personnel and Black people pursuing degrees and careers in science, engineering, and medicine and elucidate ways that administrators, communities, and organizations can support DEI and increase accessibility for individuals pursuing degrees and training in SEM.

Major Objectives of the symposium series include:

• Examining what the SCOTUS decision means legally with respect to pathway programs, the admission application, and admission practices at institutions of higher education as they seek to maintain diverse classes and inclusive practices;
• Exploring best practices used by institutions and admissions professionals to offer examples of effective student personal statements and include the perspective of student-centered affinity groups to spotlight their concerns.
• Highlighting novel ideas from academic leaders at HBCUs, colleges and medical schools to support the needs of Black students matriculating into higher education and medical schools.