In this month's issue of The Roundup: HBCU Edition, we take a look at the news stories and key moments surrounding Historically Black Colleges and Universities, as well as all of the ways in which HBCUs have helped shape public discourse over the past few weeks.
April 14 - May 11
We just launched, On the Yard, our podcast which explores the culture and leadership trends happening across HBCUs nationwide. The podcast dives into the unique issues faced by these historic and minority-serving institutions through a series of conversations with leaders and advocates.
Finances
While historically Black institutions in Maryland rejoiced after a landmark case determined the state discriminated against its four HBCUs, the Tennessee General Assembly found it deprived the state’s only public Black college between $150 million and $544 million in land grant funds.
Admissions
An increase in philanthropic donations and forgiveness of federal capital debt have led to an increase in applicants, according to one HBCU.
More Black students opt for HBCUs as a haven to shield against racial tensions.
Meanwhile students at Elizabeth City State University were forced to leave their dorms when they closed as protests erupted in the city after a Black man was fatally shot by police.
As more students flock to HBCUs, the number of Hispanic serving institutions is also on the rise.
Sports
The athletically inclined offspring of sports and entertainment moguls continue to choose HBCU institutions, bucking the trend of sport standouts choosing Big Ten, Big 12 and other popular predominantly white schools known for athletics.
Speaking of sports, Tennessee State University is considering launching a D1 ice hockey program.
COVID-19
HBCUs have done well in slowing transmission rates of the COVID-19 virus.
One way institutions are slowing transmission is to require all staff to be vaccinated, and at least one Virginia HBCU is taking that path.
Leadership
Bethune Cookman has new leadership.
Thanks to its leadership, Paul Quinn College is on the brink of a new horizon.
Speaking of leadership, Clark Atlanta University has launched a new program to train future HBCU presidents.
This news roundup focuses on the trends impacting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSI). Each month, we highlight the policy, process and programmatic changes happening nationally and among these institutions and how the colleges and universities are responding to them.
