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UW Oshkosh chancellor urges 'selflessness' and reframing of DEI work in conversation with Oshkosh committee
Summary
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh chancellor spoke to the City of Oshkosh Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee about perceptions of DEI, overlapping disadvantage, and approaches the university is using to support underrepresented students.
The University of Wisconsin Oshkosh chancellor addressed the City of Oshkosh Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee on Sept. 22, urging practical approaches to diversity, equity and inclusion and warning that public perceptions can reshape DEI work.
The chancellor told committee members that ‘‘perception is reality’’ and that misconceptions—that DEI is exclusionary or anti‑merit—have shifted public debate about equity. He urged committee members to focus on policies that support underprivileged students and to emphasize dignity and long‑term opportunity alongside financial aid.
Why it matters: the chancellor framed DEI as both a moral and pragmatic issue for higher education institutions under public scrutiny. He said universities should design programs that target overlapping forms of disadvantage—economic need, first‑generation status, rural isolation—so that broad measures reach many students who are underserved.
The chancellor described fellowship‑style supports that include professional development and mentorship as more impactful than one‑time scholarships. ‘‘I don’t believe in giving a scholarship, just a scholarship. I believe in giving a fellowship,’’ he said, arguing that pride, dignity and work experience increase long‑term success.
He also spoke from personal experience about being a visible religious minority and the emotional toll of discrimination. Recounting an incident in which a driver made an obscene gesture while he was wearing a turban, he said he chose to walk around downtown and was met by supportive strangers. ‘‘Who won? I did,’’ he said, adding that public acts of support can blunt the sting of isolated incidents.
Committee members asked how the university plans to sustain DEI work amid political pressure. The chancellor said targeting economic disadvantage and first‑generation college students covers many overlapping minority groups and that investing in fellowships, not only scholarships, builds capacity and dignity that lead to better outcomes.
He also urged a conversational approach to opposition: let people speak, listen, and seed understanding rather than escalating defense. That, he said, creates stronger, more respectful dialogue and better long‑term results.
The chancellor closed by linking DEI work to broader generational advancement, describing family stories of education lifting children to graduate‑level work and noting the resilience of those who overcome disadvantage. He left the meeting after an extended Q&A and conversation with committee members.
The remarks were delivered as part of the committee’s regular agenda; no formal action on university policy or funding was taken by the committee during the meeting.
