Moderator Laura Meckler (from left), Kevin Roberts, and Cornell William Brooks.Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer Nation & World What role should ‘diversity,’ ‘pluralism’ play in higher education? Cornell William Brooks, Kevin Roberts spar over whether race-conscious programs still needed Jacob Sweet Harvard Staff Writer October 1, 2026 3 min read The participants at a John F. Kennedy Jr. Forum debate last week on “diversity” and “pluralism” in higher education were clearly suitably matched. Kevin Roberts is president of the conservative Heritage Foundation think tank. His group published Project 2025, a 900-page policy document that has heavily influenced President Trump’s second-term ...