Did we forget that Inclusion should also include professionals from lesser accredited colleges?

We see lots of LinkedIn posts on Diversity and Inclusion; may it be gender based, ability based, economic conditions based. Some of them are from the leaders of the industry and stalwarts and subject matter experts of Human Resources. And yet I have yet to come across a post that talks of inclusion of a large population of our workforce that comes from lesser accredited Colleges and Universities. 

When I joined through campus interview in 1994, any colleges other than IIM and Tier 1 were treated sub par. In fact after the training period we were a whole level lower than them. Ability, Performance, Leadership was not even considered. While one would have made up for it in subsequent years, more than two decades later, working in Executive Search have realized that for a large part nothing has changed. Some employers still insist on Ivy League, Tier 1 colleges even if they are looking at someone with 20 years’ experience! I would think in 20 years a person must have proven enough to reach where they are. And while these experienced professionals would not face too dire a circumstance I feel for the Fresher/ Junior/Mid level person who does not get a chance because they do not have that certificate. Some employers are not even willing to look at these candidates. 

When we are taking special steps for the differently-abled or the under-privileged isn’t it time we included these professionals and gave them an equal chance? Their shortfall may be due to circumstances, economic conditions, constraints, even perhaps luck that they could not ace those entrance tests .. There is a whole able workforce more eager and motivated to prove their mettle... Colleges do not produce leaders, motivation does !! INCLUDE THEM TOO!!