'What a disgrace': Internet rips Columbia University's DEI leader Alade McKen as he's accused of plagiarism in doctoral dissertation

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A cloud of controversy is engulfing Columbia University after a bombshell report revealed disturbing plagiarism allegations against the school's newly appointed chief diversity officer.

According to an anonymous complaint, Alade McKen allegedly copied large portions of his doctoral dissertation verbatim from Wikipedia and over 30 other sources without proper citation. The shocking accusations are sparking an uproar at the prestigious Ivy League institution and intense scrutiny of McKen's short tenure as diversity head.

Alade McKen allegedly plagiarized one-fifth of his doctoral dissertation

The anonymous complaint, obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, alleges McKen plagiarized around one-fifth of his 163-page dissertation for a doctorate from Iowa State University.

Titled "'UBUNTU' I am because we are: A case study examining the experiences of an African-centered Rites of Passage program within a community-based organization," the paper focuses on Afrocentric education.

However, the complainant states over two full pages appear to be a "near-verbatim facsimile" of Wikipedia's entry on Afrocentric education. McKen does not cite the online encyclopedia anywhere despite copying word-for-word in some sections.

The complaint also alleges that McKen lifted paragraphs from renowned African scholars without proper attribution. While some authors appear in the bibliography, McKen fails to cite them in-text where he uses their work verbatim. Other experts, like the University of Rwanda's Chika Ezeanya-Esiobu, are not cited at all despite McKen's striking similarities.

"The passages you shared can definitely be classified as plagiarism," Ezeanya-Esiobu told the publication upon reviewing examples from McKen's dissertation.

Alade McKen is the third Ivy League leader accused of plagiarism in recent months

McKen, holding a master's degree in higher education administration from Baruch College and a diversity and inclusion certificate from Cornell University, assumed the role of Chief DEI Officer at the Irving Medical Center last September. Before this, he served as the assistant dean of recruitment, diversity, and inclusion for Columbia’s Graduate School of Architecture.

McKen is the third high-profile leader at an Ivy League school accused of plagiarism in recent months. Former Harvard President Claudine Gay resigned in January amid allegations she copied work over 20 years ago. That same month, Harvard's DEI head Sherri Ann Charleston faced claims she improperly cited her husband's academic work.

Internet erupts with criticism

As news of the plagiarism allegations against McKen spread across the internet, a wave of criticism swiftly ensued, with users expressing their discontent. One user on the platform X condemned the situation, stating, "What a disgrace. Time to end DEI and have universities focus on high-quality teaching and research."

Another user reacted with astonishment, stating, "Dang! That makes Claudine Gay's plagiarism look like nothing." One user voiced skepticism, commenting, "If I were going to plagiarize, Wikipedia would be the last place I'd go."

Reflecting on perceived shifts in work ethic, another person lamented, "There was a time when people worked hard. Now not so much." In light of the allegations, a user expressed incredulity, stating, "Wow. Talk about not even trying! Sheesh." Another user summed up the sentiment succinctly, remarking, "What a joke."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.