Local experts react to Supreme Court's decision on affirmative action

For 45 years colleges and universities in United States were allowed to consider race in the admissions process.

Members of the on the Supreme Court of the United States ruled 6-3 to end affirmative action, a decades-long practice.

Lindsey Ringenbach, Director of College Consulting, says it will not alter their mission.

Ringenbach works at Advantage College Planning, guiding students through college applications.

After today’s ruling she says encouraging students to be their most authentic self is what’s most important.

"I think a few things will shift," Ringenbach said.

She anticipates colleges and universities changing recruitment efforts as well as holistic review of a student’s application.

"Colleges will be crafting essay questions that are broader that will ask students to dig a little bit deeper and talk about who they are as people.," Ringenbach said. "And really and really encourage students to be their authentic self.

Dr. Ricardo Phipps from St. Augustine’s University says the ruling undoes decades of protections put in place to ensure higher education institutions are welcoming to people of color.

"It is a disappointing decision to receive," Phipps said.