Fresno Unified renames its DEI department amid Trump administration’s crackdown
Fresno Unified in recent days has quietly renamed its diversity, equity and inclusion department — though the district’s leaders say it wasn’t in response to the Trump administration’s crackdown on DEI efforts.
The school district’s Department of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is now named the Department of Culture and Student Inclusion.
Fresno Unified on Wednesday confirmed the department’s renaming. A spokesperson said the name change is “just one part of a larger reorganization” initiated by Superintendent Misty Her under her plan to boost student achievement.
The district had been exploring a potential name change since at least early August after Her named Carlos Castillo, the head of the DEI department, as Fresno Unified’s chief academic officer.
Her created a new administrator position of associate superintendent of family and student services that will lead the Department of Culture and Student Inclusion, among other departments and initiatives. The position has not yet been filled.
Still, the reorganization of the district’s DEI department comes at a time when school districts and universities across the country are grappling with President Donald Trump’s war against diversity and inclusion efforts. Many institutions have taken down DEI webpages or tamped down DEI efforts or requirements after the president signed executive orders seeking to ban diversity practices in education.
District leaders downplayed external pressure from the federal government as the reason for the rebrand. Rather, they said, it’s part of an ongoing effort by the new superintendent to implement her agenda to raise student achievement.
Castillo said the rebranding of the DEI department is one part of the superintendent’s broader reorganization. He said the “core mission and efforts” around diversity, equity and inclusion remain a priority for the district.
Other upcoming changes include creating new roles overseeing school performance and family and student services, as well as the establishment of a new student and family support division.
Fresno Unified Trustee Elizabeth Jonasson Rosas told The Bee some of these shifts are aimed at streamlining programs to have them under “one umbrella” in an effort to better serve students.
Fresno High trustee Andy Levine said the district’s decision was part of an effort to prioritize its new goals as opposed to being in response to pressure from the federal government.
