Developing a Standardized Tool for Evaluating Equity in Higher Education Hiring Practices
Nishka Vipul
Department of Psychology
Faculty Supervisor: Kevin Eschleman
Equity in higher education is a fundamental principle that underpins the mission of institutions like San Francisco State University (SFSU), where inclusivity and multiculturalism are central to institutional values and hiring practices. Despite these commitments, a notable issue is the lack of standardized metrics or tools for evaluating equity values in job applicant portfolios. Currently, the reliance on subjective Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) statements for assessing equity competencies introduces potential biases and undermines the fairness of the hiring process. This inconsistency poses a significant challenge in aligning hiring practices with institutional equity goals and measuring the effectiveness of equity initiatives. What remains unclear is how to develop a robust, standardized tool that can effectively gauge and evaluate the equity values of applicants in the hiring practices. This thesis aims to address this gap by proposing a standardized evaluation framework, specifically a behaviorally-anchored rating scale, to ensure a fair, objective assessment of applicants. This proposed tool hopes to strengthen SFSU’s commitment to creating a diverse and inclusive academic environment.