A note to fellow advocates in higher education

“I would love to make that happen, but simply don’t have the power to do so.” How many of us working to change higher education have heard this sentiment? I heard it as an undergrad advocating for fossil fuel divestment and I hear it now as a graduate student working to fight anti-Black racism on our campus.

The truth is institutions are designed to prevent change. The sheer amount of red tape is enough to deter even the most impassioned individuals. I am here to tell you to ignore the red tape. If you start this work by limiting yourself or allowing others to limit you, you have already lost.

Start by mapping it out. Begin with your main goal and work backwards to outline who holds the keys to change on the path to achieving that goal. If a person along the way does not have the power to make the level of change you are looking for, they likely have information that can help you get there.

If you come to the end of your map and realize that your institution is not going to get onboard, get creative. How can you achieve your goal without having to ask your key holders for permission? Start at your local level. How can you get your team, lab, or department to pilot your idea? Once you have successfully piloted your idea, share your achievements with those in power. They are more likely to buy-in once you have demonstrated how influential your idea is. If not, recruit additional groups to lead another pilot. Once a number of groups have recognized the power of your idea, others will follow suit. Keep the momentum going and remember to take care of yourself.