Which HBCUs will Survive and Why?
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Posted By: Will Moss on July 02, 2012 FEATURED Content Author: Marybeth Gasman This past week, I gave a talk at the North Carolina Minority Economic Development Institute and I was asked to answer the following question: "Which HBCUs will survive and why?" Based on my research and work with HBCUs over the past 15 years, here is my response: Those HBCUs that will survive in the 21st century are those: 1. .... that have an institutional niche -- a strength -- something that makes them stand out. Strong programs draw students, funders, and alumni support. 2. .... that are led by bold leaders with brave sensibilities. 3. .... with leaders that make decisions based on data -- data at the institutional level as well as at the state and federal level. 4. .... with presidents that speak out on national higher education issues, especially those that directly influence HBCUs. 5. .... that look closely at their retention and graduation rates and if they don't see change and improvement, they make immediate change. 6. .... that learn to 'manage up' in terms of their funder relationships. If you get funding, you have to make sure that you keep the funder informed about your use of the money. 7. .... that diversify their student body. Although there is resistance on the part of some leaders and alumni to diversification, there's no other choice given increased access for African Americans at majority institutions and the growing Asian and Latino populations. Thriving, in most cases, depends on aggressively reaching out to all students. 8. .... with leaders who remember to respect faculty and faculty input. Happy faculty = happy students. 9. .... that improve student services and the treatment of students as they move through the various student services venues on campus. Satisfied students make happy alumni that give back to the institution. 10. .... with leaders that roll up their sleeves and work with all entities on campus. HBCU presidents cannot afford to get caught up in titles and the trappings of these titles -- actually no president should. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/marybeth-gas... If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Will Moss
Founder & CEO, HBCU CONNECT, LLC Hampton University class of 1995 Member Since June 1999 |
Comments
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What do you think? Monday, March 17th 2014 at 3:08AM |
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The comments above are quite enlightening. I am not a graduate of an HBCU. However, my mother graduated from what is now Virginia State University. The biggest challenge I see for HBCUs is that they seem to have lost the battle for our best and brightest -- students and scholars who are teaching. Therefore, they have a greater challenge in helping students who are less well prepared for college to succeed. In order for HBCUs to survive in the current economic and academic environment, they must adapt. Perhaps they can partner with larger mainstream institutions with exchange programs for professors and students. The bar of excellence must be raised, and that cannot be done with such a significant focus on poor and under-prepared students. This environment also doesn't attract top scholars. There needs to be a new vision that includes economic and financial support, academic excellence, and our cultural heritage and values. A failure to make bold changes and initiatives will see an accelerated decline of HBCUs. That would be a catastrophe for our African American heritage and our nation. Monday, March 17th 2014 at 12:55PM |
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Over 11k hits and 3 comments?I am hearing from quite a few alumni about the conditions and problems at hbcu. This an excellent article and addresses the situation. I have been employed by and graduated Central State and Wilberforce. The disrespect for the campus and other students is ugly. The campuses are littered with trash,just thrown anywhere.student addressing each with derogatory names or if everybody's first name is ***** with the boys pants almost down to there knees,administrators who will not call back.The libraries are understaffed and poorly stocked .Unless these survival concern are addressed these schools will not survive nor should they. Education is a business and this is not a business environment I would spent my money at. Wednesday, April 23rd 2014 at 11:35AM |
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Norval, you are right. We need to hold our schools and students to a higher standard.
Wednesday, April 23rd 2014 at 12:17PM |
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