Higher education institutions face mounting challenges in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) amid declining enrollment, diversity fatigue, misinformation, and political polarization. Through a critical review and synthesis of recent scholarship, this article examines how an overemphasis on historical inequities and performative initiatives have contributed to resistance and fatigue rather than sustainable progress. Drawing on literature from organizational psychology, higher education policy, and DEI implementation studies, the analysis identifies key barriers, such as, accusatory framing, resource constraints, and competing institutional priorities, and proposes a holistic, systems-level framework for effective DEI. The proposed approach shifts from blame-oriented discourse to forward-looking strategies that embed DEI into strategic planning, hiring, curriculum, and well-being initiatives. Recommendations focus on institutional accountability, evidence-based practices, faculty and student engagement, and measurable outcomes that promote flourishing for all members of the academic community. This article offers practical guidance for leaders seeking to transform DEI from a source of fatigue into a sustainable driver of institutional excellence and belonging.
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