HBCUs Hold Secret To Adapting To Higher Ed’s Evolving Demographics
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Posted By: S. Moore on April 17, 2023 It’s no secret that the higher education industry is facing a major decline in enrollment, as the number of high school graduates is expected to decline in the coming years. As colleges and universities compete for a smaller pool of potential students, leaders are looking for ways to balance their books with the needs of their students. As difficult decisions will need to be made, there are non-partisan data tools available to higher education leaders as they look for how to assess and compare their institutions’ financial health, equity practices, and future enrollment trends. In addition, for many higher education leaders, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) may hold the key to learning innovative and effective strategies for surviving enrollment challenges and financial pressures. While many institutions struggle to attract students, enrollment at HBCUs is on the rise, increasing 57% by 2022, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. While HBCUs were founded to provide access to higher education for Black students, HBCUs are now enrolling the majority of highly qualified Black students as well as enrolling up to 40% white students. As top-tier Black students consider their options for higher education, they are increasingly choosing HBCUs over Ivy League schools. This is because these students are prioritizing a sense of community and belonging in their higher education experience. One of the key ways that HBCUs have differentiated themselves is through their diverse leadership, faculty and staff, which can help create a more inclusive campus culture and provide role models for students from a variety of racial and ethnic backgrounds. One example of an HBCU that is leading the way in inclusive enrollment strategies and diverse leadership is Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina. Benedict has implemented enrollment strategies that encourage diversity and increase access to systemically excluded populations, such as incarcerated students and students formerly in foster care. In fact, Benedict is among 73 colleges and universities invited to participate in the third round of the Second Chance Pell Experiment, an initiative that was first launched by the Obama-Biden Administration to expand access to Federal Pell Grants for incarcerated students. Benedict’s leadership also reflects its student body, where 55% of their students identify as female, and 62% of their Executive Cabinet leaders identify as female. Additionally, the majority of Benedict’s second tier administrators (Deans, Directors, Chairs, etc.) identify as female. It is also important to note that the Student Government Association (SGA) is similarly situated with the President and Vice President being female. Benedict and other HBCUs are setting an example for other higher ed leaders. As college students become more diverse, it is crucial that its leadership does, too. Diverse leaders bring lived experience and expertise to help institutions to embrace the challenge of increasing enrollment while providing more access to systemically excluded groups, not less. In contrast, when many colleges face financial hardship, they race to find students who can pay the most and who are most likely to be able to graduate within four years. This approach exacerbates inequality and undermines the core mission of higher education. In the face of shifting demographics, higher education leaders must embrace the principles that HBCUs have championed for decades: diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. By doing so, they can create a more inclusive and just higher education system that serves all students. SOURCE Forbes If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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