EPISODE 8: THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INVESTING IN HBCUS
The greatest challenge that Historically Black Colleges and Universities confront today is funding. However, Tougaloo College is worth the investment, according to Tougaloo College President Carmen Walters.
In this episode of On The Yard, we discuss the value of strategic partnerships and donors in propelling HBCUs forward, as well as the role Tougaloo College plays in connecting the past to the present through these initiatives. Dr. Walters shares how she developed a strategy that includes goals for improving the student learning experience and driving Tougaloo College forward through academic rigor and social justice.
“We have a responsibility to the students today and to the students of the future, so it's very easy for me to connect the dots to say, in the words of Maya Angelou, ‘we [at Tougaloo College] are the hopes and dreams of the slave,” Dr. Walters said. “When I live in that environment and I see the successes of our students as they leave Tougaloo College…I know that that hope and that dream is still alive.”
Dr. Walters has more than 24 years of community college experience under her belt. Because of this, she is able to anticipate and serve the needs of her students at Tougaloo College. This, in her perspective, is why students choose HBCUs. “When they look at me, they see a familiar face,” Dr. Walters said. “They see someone who will be there for them every step of the way “until they make it in America as a career-minded individual.”
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On the Yard explores the culture and leadership trends happening across Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) 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.
