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March 31st, 2026

Erased or Evolving? – A Latina Student Responds to DEI Changes at UT

  1. Erased or Evolving? - A Latina Student Responds to DEI Changes at UT J.R. Gonzales 51:32

Episode 127 – What happens when the spaces designed to support identity, culture, and opportunity begin to disappear?

Across the country, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs are being dismantled or redefined—and students are feeling it firsthand. At the University of Texas at Austin, proposed changes within the College of Liberal Arts are raising serious concerns about the future of Mexican American and Latina/o Studies and the broader network of programs that have long supported student success and community impact.

In this episode of Latino Business Report, we sit down with a student leader who is speaking up, organizing, and refusing to be sidelined. This is a candid, on-the-ground conversation about what’s really happening, why it matters, and what could be lost if these changes move forward.

This isn’t just a policy discussion—it’s a story about voice, identity, and the fight to preserve spaces that have shaped generations.

J.R. Gonzales is Chairman of the Hispanic Leadership and Management Foundation and Executive Vice-Chair of the Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC). Gonzales serves on the Export-Import Bank of the United States Council on Small Business. He is a nationally recognized communications consultant and professional development trainer. Gonzales is a former Chairman of the Board, and a past president and CEO of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. As a business owner, entrepreneur, political strategist, and public speaker, Gonzales has been a lifelong advocate and voice for issues facing Latino and minority communities.