Chief Diversity Officers Report Stress Amid Shifting Roles

"Chief diversity officers find their work has gotten harder and more stressful over the past two years, according to a new national survey by the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education. The survey results, published Tuesday, are based on responses from 394 chief and academic diversity officers in February 2025. At the time of the survey, 52 percent of respondents said their budgets hadn't changed over the last two years."

"About 68 percent of respondents reported their jobs were less predictable than two years ago; 87 percent found their work more stressful, and 77 percent reported their jobs were more upsetting. The vast majority of diversity officers-91 percent-identified the political climate as the greatest challenge to DEI work on campuses. Students' and employees' mental health and crisis management also rose to the top of their concerns."

394 chief and academic diversity officers responded in February 2025. Fifty-two percent reported budgets unchanged over the past two years. Among those with budget changes, a little over half reported increases for new positions, expanded programs and other initiatives, while 48 percent described cuts or funding freezes ranging from 10 to 60 percent tied to institutional deficits, enrollment declines or federal and state anti-DEI policies. Salaries remained consistent with 2023. Sixty-eight percent reported less predictable jobs, 87 percent reported more stress, and 77 percent reported more upsetting work. Ninety-one percent identified the political climate as the top DEI challenge. Thirty-one percent reported role changes and 29 percent reported office reorganizations.

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