Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

FALL 2017 OUTLOOK

The history of Black Greek
Letter Organizations

POSITIVE NEWS

for HBCU students

BECOME THE

VOICE OF

CHANGE

TWO PAGE

Historically black colleges and
universities (Hbcus) as institutions
of HigHer education and learning

Have provided a Haven of
opportunities for african american
educators, students, and graduates
to acHieve success, and impact lives
tHrougHout tHe united states and

internationally.

ER INTRO

College Completion
TOP 10 HBCUS
BY GRADUATION RATE

College graduation rates offer valuable information for the prospective student.
They indicate how many students enrolled at a particular college actually graduate
from that college. While low college graduation rates aren’t necessarily a negative
sign, students often want to surround themselves with like-minded individuals who
are dedicated to obtaining a degree from their chosen school. For these students,
choosing a school with high graduation rates is an excellent step. The following are 10
HBCUs with the highest college graduation rates based on the latest available data.

10. Claflin University
Orangeburg, South Carolina
Claflin is a smaller, private college
offering Bachelors and Masters degrees.
They graduate 44% of students.

9. Jackson State 7. Xavier University
University of Louisiana
Jackson, Mississippi New Orleans, Louisiana
Jackson State offers Bachelors, Located in the heart of New Orleans,
Masters and Doctoral degrees. Xavier University offers Bachelors,
They are located in a city setting Masters and Doctoral degrees. Xavier’s
on a midsize campus and have a graduation rate is also 51%.
graduation rate of 45%.

Tuskegee UniversityTuskegee, Alabama

8. Tuskegee University is located in a town
setting on a distant campus. They offer
Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees
and have a graduation rate of 46%.

4. Morehouse CollegeAtlanta, Georgia
Morehouse is located on a large campus
in a city/urban environment. They offer
certificates which take less than one year
to complete, as well as four-year Bachelor’s
degrees. Their graduation rate is 55%.

3. Hampton UniversityHampton, Virginia
Located in a city/urban environment on
a midsize campus, Hampton University’s
graduation rate is 59%. They offer certificates
as well as Associates, Bachelors, Masters,
Professional and Doctoral degrees.

6. Tougaloo College 2.Howard
Tougaloo, Mississippi University
Tougaloo College offers both Washington, D.C.
Associates degrees and Bachelor’s Howard University offers a city/
degrees. They are located in a city/ urban experience on large
urban environment on a midsize campus. With a graduation rate
campus and graduate 51% of students. of 63%, Howard offers a broad
range of certificates, Associates,
Fisk UniversityNashville, Tennessee Bachelors, Masters, Post-Masters
and Doctoral degrees.
5. Fisk is situated on a large campus in
a city/urban environment. Fisk offers 1.Wilberforce
Bachelors and Masters degrees as well University
as Post-Baccalaureate certificates, and Wilberforce, Ohio
graduates 54% of students. Wilberforce, a small, private
college in a rural setting,
has a graduation rate of
83%. This ranks it 20%
higher than the next-highest
school. Wilberforce offers
both Bachelors and Masters
degrees.

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BEST COLLEGES RANKINGS

#72 (TIE) IN NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES
#69 (TIE) IN HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR RANKINGS
#1 IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

350 SPELMAN LANE SW, ATLANTA, GA 30314 | (404) 681-3643 Founded in 1881 as the Atlanta Baptist
Female Seminary, we became
WWW.HAMPTONU.EDU
Spelman College in 1924. Spelman
BROUGHT TO YOU BY: WWW.USNEWS.COM College, a historically Black college

and a global
leader in the education of women of

African descent, is dedicated to
academic excellence in the liberal
arts and sciences and the intellectual,

creative, ethical, and leadership
development of its students. Spelman

empowers the whole person to
engage the many cultures of the world
and inspires a commitment to positive

social change.

1

BEST COLLEGES RANKINGS

#124 (TIE) IN NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES
#82 (TIE) IN BEST COLLEGES FOR VETERANS
#83 (TIE) IN HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR RANKINGS
#2 IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
#116 (TIE) IN BEST UNDERGRADUATE ENGINEERING PROGRAMS
Established in 1867, Howard University is a federally chartered,
private, doctoral research extensive university located in
Washington, DC. With an enrollment of approximately 11,000
students in its undergraduate, graduate, professional, and joint
degree programs, which span more than 120 areas of study within
13 schools and colleges, the University is dedicated to educating
students from diverse backgrounds. Since its founding in 1867,
Howard has awarded more than 120,000 degrees and certificates
in the arts, the sciences, and the humanities. The University has an
enduring commitment to the education and advancement of
underrepresented populations in America and the global
community. Howard University’s unique mission represents an
unwavering commitment to its core values of leadership,
excellence, truth and service.

(202) 806-6100

WWW2.HOWARD.EDU2400 SIXTH STREET NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20059
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2

From the Burning Sands
of the Divine Nine

Black Greek Letter Organizations (BGLOs) began to come into fruition
in the early 20th century due to the trials and tribulations that many black
people were facing within the United States at the time. The inclusion
of African Americans in universities proved to be trying times for black
students in the early 1900s.

Starting Something New Following in the footsteps of Alpha
Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., eight
Often ostracized and banned from joining many social organizations, other intercollegiate fraternities
black students began searching for ways to cope with these struggles. and sororities were founded on the
There were a few attempts at creating intercollegiate BGLOs, with Alpha similar principles of service and
Kappa Nu beginning in 1903 and then disbanding due to a struggle in the betterment of black men and
keeping steady membership, Alpha Phi Alpha was the first successful women. Many different movements
fraternity to sustain its membership and expand. and political events effected how
these organizations came about as
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. was initially started as a study and well. Alpha Kappa Alpha paved
support group for the black male students at Cornell University who the way for sororities in 1908 when
were facing harsh racial prejudice at the time. Black students often could they were founded at Howard
go days without seeing each another person of color on campus, so their University. Kappa Alpha Psi was
study group served as their decompression from the struggles they faced. founded in Indiana for similar
reasons to Alpha Phi Alpha, racial
Often ostracized and banned from tension and prejudices on campus
joining many social organizations, led them to create their fraternity
black students began searching for as well. Omega Psi Phi was the
ways to cope with these struggles. first of the divine nine fraternities
to be founded on an HBCU’s
campus at Howard. Delta Sigma
Theta’s beginnings were strongly
influenced by the Women’s Suffrage
movement. Springing forward
to the most recent of the divine
nine organizations, Iota Phi Theta
was a product of the civil rights
movement and they were very
influential in shaping the political
landscape of Baltimore after they
were founded.

The Divine Nine
organizations are as follows:
The Fraternities

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (1906)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (1911)
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (1911)
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. (1914)
Iota Phi Theta Fraternity, Inc. (1963)

The Sororities

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (1908)
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. (1913)
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (1920)
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc. (1922)

Though they all differ in their These organizations, some of which are
founding principles in one over 100 years old, have contributed
way or another, they all come countless hours of service, scholarships,
together as a unified body to and leadership to communities all
create social change and leave around the world. Though they all differ
the world as a better place. in their founding principles in one way
or another, they all come together as a
unified body to create social change and
leave the world as a better place. Yet,
each of these organizations deserves
recognition and a deeper insight into
the work they really do day in and day
out in the honor of their fraternities
and sororities. Many of our celebrated
leaders within the black community are
members of Divine Nine organizations
and they continue to foster talented
individuals over the years. Join us as
we celebrate the works and impact
that these each of these organizations
have had and continue to have in
communities of color all over the world.

Brought to you by: naacpconnect.org

3 2017 RANKINGS

Other universities simply teach history. Hampton University puts you right in the middle HAMPTON UNIVERSITY IS RANKED #18 IN
of it. Because, as you'll soon discover, you're not just a part of Hampton University - REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES SOUTH. SCHOOLS
Hampton University is a part of you.
While our roots reach deep into the history of this nation and the African-American ARE RANKED ACCORDING TO THEIR
experience, our sights – like yours – are set squarely on the horizons of the global PERFORMANCE ACROSS A SET OF WIDELY
community of the 21st century. ACCEPTED INDICATORS OF EXCELLENCE.

Rich in history, steeped in tradition, Hampton University is a dynamic, progressive #18 (TIE) IN REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES SOUTH
institution of higher education, providing a broad range of technical, liberal arts, and
graduate degree programs. In addition to being one of the top historically black #13 (TIE) IN BEST COLLEGES FOR VETERANS
universities in the world, Hampton University is a tightly-knit community of learners and
educators, representing 49 states and 35 territories and nations. #3 IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES
Hampton University is nestled along the banks of the Virginia Peninsula, near the mouth
of the Chesapeake Bay. The surrounding city of Hampton features a wide array of #131 (TIE) IN ENGINEERING PROGRAMS (NO
business and industrial enterprises, retail and residential areas, historical sites, and miles of DOCTORATE)
waterfront and beaches. Attractions such as Fort Monroe, NASA Langley Research Center,
and the Virginia Air and Space Center add to the splendor – and just plain fun – of the HU
campus.

100 E. QUEEN ST., HAMPTON, VA 23668
800.624.3328 - OFFICE OF ADMISSIONS

WWW.HAMPTONU.EDU
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4
The mission of Morehouse College is to 2017 RANKINGS
develop men with disciplined minds who will
lead lives of leadership and service. A private
historically black liberal arts college for men,

Morehouse realizes this mission by Foster an understanding and appreciation MOREHOUSE COLLEGE IS RANKED #159 IN
emphasizing the intellectual and character of world cultures, artistic and creative NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES.
development of its students. In addition, the expression, and the nature of the physical
College assumes special responsibility for universe; SCHOOLS ARE RANKED ACCORDING TO
teaching the history and culture of black THEIR PERFORMANCE ACROSS A SET OF
people. Promote understanding and appreciation
of the specific knowledge and skills needed WIDELY ACCEPTED INDICATORS OF
Founded in 1867 and located in Atlanta, for the pursuit of professional careers and/or EXCELLENCE.
Georgia, Morehouse is an academic graduate study, and;
community dedicated to teaching, #159 (TIE) IN NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS
scholarship, and service, and the continuing Cultivate the personal attributes of COLLEGES
search for truth as a liberating force. As such, self-confidence, tolerance, morality, ethical
the College offers instructional programs in behavior, spirituality, humility, a global #80 (TIE) IN HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR
three divisions – business and economics, perspective, and a commitment to social RANKINGS
humanities and social sciences, and science justice.
and mathematics–– as well as extracurricular #4 (TIE) IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES
activities that: The College seeks students who are willing to AND UNIVERSITIES
carry the torch of excellence and who are
Develop skills in oral and written willing to pay the price of gaining strength #248 (TIE) IN BUSINESS PROGRAMS
communications, analytical and critical and confidence by confronting adversity,
thinking, and interpersonal relationships; mastering their fears, and achieving success
by earning it. In pursuit of its mission, v
challenges itself to be among the very finest
liberal arts institutions in the world.

830 WESTVIEW DRIVE SW, ATLANTA, GA 30314 | (404) 681-2800

WWW.MOREHOUSE.EDU

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Historically Black Colleges
Try to Catch Up as Rich
Schools Get Richer

Of the 90 schools with billion-dollar
endowments, not one is an HBCU

Morehouse College has strong academics, an idyllic leafy campus, and
illustrious alumni, 15 percent of whom give back to the school, a rate
comparable to Harvard’s. But the historically black college in Atlanta
lacks one thing that’s increasingly important: a rich endowment fund.

At just over $130 million, the Independent wealth is especially
all-male college’s fund ranks about important at a time when Donald
400th among U.S. schools. It’s not Trump and his administration
an unusual problem for historically have given mixed messages on
black colleges and universities, also federal funding. Upon coming
known as HBCUs. None of the into office, Trump said he would
90 higher education institutions “absolutely prioritize” funding for
with endowments of more than $1 the institutions. When submitting
billion is an HBCU. The wealthiest a budget proposal, however, Trump
is Washington’s Howard University, implied in a signing statement
with $578 million as of June 30, that federal funding to HBCUs
2016, ranking about 160. That’s might be unconstitutional. A
less than 2 percent the size of the second statement backtracked the
fund at Harvard, the richest school comment, and the administration’s
overall, with $35.7 billion. proposed funding for the schools is
unchanged from last year’s budget
under President Obama, at about
$492 million.

A second statement backtracked the comment,
and the administration’s proposed funding

for the schools is unchanged from last year’s

$492 million.budget under President Obama, atabout

HBCUs were created for the most part after the Civil War to educate students who were barred from white
institutions. In the 1960s, about 90 percent of black college students attended HBCUs, both public and private,
but today the schools enroll just 21 percent of black undergraduates. “We began to compete openly for students,
talent, and resources,” said John Brown, then the interim vice president for Morehouse’s office of institutional
advancement, in late June. (He has since left the position.) “As that competition opened up on all fronts, we have
found ourselves in the position of playing catch-up, plain and simple, and that’s where we are.”

The wealthier a school’s endowment, the
more money it has both to attract students
and to provide them with the funding and
academic services to get them to graduation.

The wealthier a school’s endowment, the more money it has both to
attract students and to provide them with the funding and academic
services to get them to graduation. Howard’s endowment means it
has just under $58,000 for each of its 10,000 students. By comparison,
Nashville’s Vanderbilt University has about $300,000 per student.

The problem isn’t alumni who fail
to give. Across the street from
Morehouse at Spelman College,
the historically black women’s
college with a graduation rate
of more than 75 percent and a
$348 million endowment, more
than a third of alumnae donated
to the institution in 2016. That’s
more than four times the national
average of 8.1 percent, according
to data compiled by the Council
for Aid to Education, a group that
tracks philanthropy to universities.
Spelman collected $2.52 million
in alumnae gifts in 2016. Smith
College, the women’s college in
Northampton, Mass., had about
the same proportion of alumnae
donating. But that school, with a
$1.6 billion endowment, received
$36.3 million from former students
in 2016.

Brought to you by: bloomberg.com

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY IS AN INDEPENDENT AND STATE-RELATED INSTITUTION OF HIGHER
EDUCATION. ITS PROGRAMS SERVE A STUDENT BODY THAT IS COEDUCATIONAL AS WELL AS
RACIALLY, ETHNICALLY AND RELIGIOUSLY DIVERSE. WITH A STRONG ORIENTATION TOWARD
DISCIPLINES WHICH HIGHLIGHT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND WORK FORCE
PREPARATION IN THE SCIENCES, PROFESSIONS AND TECHNICAL AREAS, TUSKEGEE
UNIVERSITY ALSO EMPHASIZES THE IMPORTANCE OF THE LIBERAL ARTS AS A FOUNDATION
FOR SUCCESSFUL CAREERS IN ALL AREAS. ACCORDINGLY, ALL ACADEMIC MAJORS STRESS
THE MASTERY OF A REQUIRED CORE OF LIBERAL ARTS COURSES.

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY WAS THE FIRST BLACK COLLEGE TO BE DESIGNATED AS A
REGISTERED NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK (APRIL 2, 1966), AND THE ONLY BLACK
COLLEGE TO BE DESIGNATED A NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE (OCTOBER 26, 1974), A DISTRICT
ADMINISTERED BY THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE OF THE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF INTERIOR.

5OVER THE PAST 135+ YEARS SINCE IT WAS FOUNDED BY BOOKER T. WASHINGTON IN

1881, TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY HAS BECOME ONE OF OUR NATION'S MOST OUTSTANDING
INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER LEARNING. WHILE IT FOCUSES ON HELPING TO DEVELOP HUMAN
RESOURCES PRIMARILY WITHIN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITY, IT IS OPEN TO ALL.

2017 RANKINGS

TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY IS RANKED
#24 IN REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES
SOUTH. SCHOOLS ARE RANKED
ACCORDING TO THEIR

PERFORMANCE ACROSS A SET OF
WIDELY ACCEPTED INDICATORS OF

EXCELLENCE.

#24 (TIE) IN REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES
SOUTH

#4 (TIE) IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES
AND UNIVERSITIES

#326 (TIE) IN BUSINESS PROGRAMS

#183 (TIE) IN ENGINEERING PROGRAMS
(DOCTORATE)

1200 W MONTGOMERY RD, TUSKEGEE, AL 36088 | (334) 727-8501

WWW.TUSKEGEE.EDU
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XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA IS RANKED #27 IN
REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES SOUTH. SCHOOLS ARE RANKED
ACCORDING TO THEIR PERFORMANCE ACROSS A SET
OF WIDELY ACCEPTED INDICATORS OF EXCELLENCE.

#27 IN REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES SOUTH
#6 IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES

THERE ARE 106 HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND 251 CATHOLIC COLLEGES IN THE UNITED
STATES, YET ONLY ONE IS BOTH BLACK AND CATHOLIC. THAT DISTINCTION BELONGS TO XAVIER
UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA, WHICH STRIVES TO COMBINE THE BEST ATTRIBUTES OF BOTH ITS FAITH
AND ITS CULTURE. XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA, FOUNDED BY SAINT KATHARINE DREXEL
AND THE SISTERS OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT, IS CATHOLIC AND HISTORICALLY BLACK. THE
ULTIMATE PURPOSE OF THE UNIVERSITY IS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROMOTION OF A MORE JUST

6AND HUMANE SOCIETY BY PREPARING ITS STUDENTS TO ASSUME ROLES OF LEADERSHIP AND
SERVICE IN A GLOBAL SOCIETY. THIS PREPARATION TAKES PLACE IN A DIVERSE LEARNING AND
TEACHING ENVIRONMENT THAT INCORPORATES ALL RELEVANT EDUCATIONAL MEANS,
INCLUDING RESEARCH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE.

1 DREXEL DRIVE, NEW ORLEANS, LA 70125 | (504) 486-7411

WWW.XULA.EDU
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myths about
historically

5black colleges
& universities

When Education Secretary Betsy DeVos cast historically
black colleges and universities (HBCUs) as “pioneers” in
“school choice” this past week, her critics scoffed at the
notion that black students could choose to matriculate
wherever they wished during the days of segregation. In a
series of tweets, DeVos attempted to adjust her statement,
focusing instead on the schools’ birth from necessity. But
the episode revealed just how many misconceptions persist
about the nation’s more than 100 HBCUs.

MYTH NO. 1

Black colleges were founded by black people.
According to DeVos, HBCU founders “saw that the system wasn’t
working, that there was an absence of opportunity, so they took it
upon themselves to provide the solution.” Presumably, “they” means
African Americans.

MYTH NO. 2

It’s racist to have black colleges.
In a 2012 story about public HBCUs in Maryland, World
Net Daily’s Les Kinsolving asked, “Why is any Maryland
college identifying itself as ‘historically black’ not an example
of racism?” Last year, African American talk show host Wendy
Williams eventually apologized after saying, “I would be really
offended if there was a school that was known as a historically
white college.” In 2008, Georgia state Sen. Seth Harp
proposed merging two historically black colleges with two
mostly white state schools, purportedly in the name of closing
“the chapter of segregated schools.” (In 2015, one merger was
approved.)

MYTH NO. 3

HBCUs are inferior.
No HBCU is on U.S. News & World Report’s list of top 100

national universities, and only one, Spelman, is ranked among its 100
best liberal arts colleges. HBCUs also have a relatively low graduation
rate (30 percent) compared with all black college students nationwide (42
percent ), according to a 2015 New America report.

MYTH NO. 4

Students are fleeing HBCUs.

In a 2015 feature, Newsweek’s Alexander Nazaryan wrote that “colleges
without students do as well as airlines without passengers, and as
black students snub HBCUs, HBCUs face the first true existential
crisis in their collective history.” That same year, Forbes ran an article
enumerating enrollment declines at several HBCUs and concluding that
African American students were “voting with their feet to go to schools
they think fit their needs better.”

colleges without students do as well as
airlines without passengers, and as black
students snub HBCUs, HBCUs face the first true
existential crisis in their collective history.

-Alexander Nazaryan

Brought to you by: washingtonpost.com

MYTH NO. 5 -Department of Education

Obama was anti-HBCU.

President Barack Obama’s first budget called for a $73 million cut in
funding for HBCUs. (The next year, that money was restored .) In
2011, the administration tightened loan standards, resulting in a 36
percent reduction in federal PLUS loans available to HBCU parents
and causing a number of students to unexpectedly interrupt their
college educations. The new rules disproportionately affected schools
that served a high share of disadvantaged students. A Post analysis
found that the move translated to an annual cut of more than $150
million for HBCUs.

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical The University provides a student-centered 2017 RANKINGS
University was founded as the State environment consistent with its core values.
Normal College for Colored Students, and The faculty is committed to educating FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY IS RANKED
on October 3, 1887, it began classes with students at the undergraduate, graduate, RNP IN NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES.
fifteen students and two instructors. doctoral and professional levels, preparing
Today, FAMU, as it has become graduates to apply their knowledge, critical SCHOOLS ARE RANKED ACCORDING TO
affectionately known, is the premiere thinking skills and creativity in their service to THEIR PERFORMANCE ACROSS A SET OF
school among historically black colleges society.
and universities. Prominently located on WIDELY ACCEPTED INDICATORS OF
the highest hill in Florida’s capital city of Florida Agricultural and Mechanical EXCELLENCE.
Tallahassee, Florida A&M University University holds the following values essential
remains the only historically black RNP IN NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES
university in the eleven member State to the achievement of the university’s
University System of Florida. mission: #173 (TIE) IN HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR
RANKINGS
Scholarship, Excellence, Openness,
Fiscal Responsibility, Accountability, #7 IN HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES
Collaboration, Diversity, Service, Fairness, AND UNIVERSITIES
Courage, Integrity, Respect, Collegiality,
Freedom, Ethics, & Shared Governance #135 (TIE) IN ENGINEERING PROGRAMS
(DOCTORATE)

LEE HALL, SUITE 400, TALLAHASSEE, FL 32307 | (850) 599-3000

WWW.FAMU.EDU

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FISK UNIVERSITY IS RANKED #171 IN
NATIONAL LIBERAL ARTS COLLEGES.

SCHOOLS ARE RANKED
ACCORDING TO THEIR
PERFORMANCE ACROSS A SET OF
WIDELY ACCEPTED INDICATORS OF

EXCELLENCE.

1000 17TH AVENUE N, NASHVILLE, TN 37208 | (615) 329-8500 #171 (TIE) IN NATIONAL LIBERAL
ARTS COLLEGES
WWW.FISK.EDU
Founded in 1866, shortly after the end of the Civil War, Fisk University is a historically black #106 (TIE) IN HIGH SCHOOL
university, and is the oldest institution of higher learning in Nashville, Tennessee. Fisk’s outstanding COUNSELOR RANKINGS
faculty and students continue to enhance the University’s national reputation for academic
excellence, which is validated year after year by the leading third party reviewers, as well as, by #8 IN HISTORICALLY BLACK
the pool of talented applicants and the large percentage of alumni who complete graduate or COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
professional degrees and become leaders and scholars in their fields.

From its earliest days, Fisk has played a leadership role in the education of African-Americans.
Fisk faculty and alumni have been among America's intellectual, artistic, and civic leaders in
every generation since the University's beginnings.

Fisk University produces graduates from diverse backgrounds with the integrity and intellect
required for substantive contributions to society. Our curriculum is grounded in the liberal arts. Our
faculty and administrators emphasize the discovery and advancement of knowledge through
research in the natural and social sciences, business and the humanities. We are committed to
the success of scholars and leaders with global perspectives.

8
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Positive News
for HBCUs

New Gallup-Purdue University report
says black students are more likely
to feel supported and be engaged in
work after graduation if they attend
historically black colleges
and universities.

Black graduates of historically black colleges and universities are
significantly more likely to have felt supported while in college and to
be thriving afterwards than are their black peers who graduated from
predominantly white institutions, according to the newest data from an
ongoing Gallup-Purdue University study.

The survey -- which is the largest of its kind and has now collected
data from 50,000 college alumni over two years -- attempts to measure
whether colleges are doing enough to help students’ well-being in life
after they graduate. It measures five “elements of well-being,” described
as social, financial, purpose, community and physical elements. The
survey also asks graduates if they remember having had a professor
who cared about them, made them excited to learn or encouraged
them to follow their dreams -- which Gallup refers to collectively as
being “emotionally supported” while in college.

Brandon Busteed, executive director of Gallup
Education and Workforce Development, said
that while HBCUs continue to lag other colleges
and universities in many other areas, the data in
the newest Gallup-Purdue report should come as
“positive news” for the struggling institutions.

“There are still noticeable challenges around
completion rates and loan default rates, and this
data doesn’t change that,” Busteed said. “But this
data does add a whole new dimension to the
conversation about the value of HBCUs. Black
students are having very meaningful experiences
at HBCUs, compared to black graduates from
everywhere else.”

About 55 percent of black HBCU agreed that college was worth it if they researchers wrote. “The profoundly

graduates said they “strongly agreed” had those kinds of relationships, the different experiences that black

that their college or university survey found. For recent graduates graduates of HBCUs and black

“prepared them well for life outside with high debt who could not recall graduates of non-HBCUs are having

of college,” compared to less than having a supportive relationship with in college leave the HBCU graduates

30 percent of non-HBCU black a professor or staff member, only 25 feeling better prepared for life after

graduates. More than half of HBCU percent strongly agreed. graduation, potentially leading them

graduates reported “thriving in About half of black HBCU graduates to live vastly different lives outside of

purpose well-being,” compared to 43 said their college or university was “the college.”

percent of black graduates from non- perfect school” for them, compared

HBCUs. to 34 percent of non-HBCU black When the researchers turned their

alumni. Nearly half said they couldn’t attention to other minority groups and

While 29 percent of black graduates “imagine a world” without the HBCU types of institutions, the gaps were not

who did not attend an HBCU said they attended. Only 25 percent of nearly as striking.

they were “thriving in financial well- black graduates of predominantly

being,” 51 percent of black HBCU white institutions agreed. When asked if their professors cared

graduates reported doing so. Black about them as a person, 28 percent

graduates of HBCUs were more than The report, which was prepared by of Hispanic students who attended

twice as likely as those who graduated nonprofit student loan guarantor a Hispanic-serving institution -- as

from predominantly white institutions USA Funds, included responses from defined by the Hispanic Association

to recall feeling supported by a alumni who graduated between 1940 of Colleges and Universities -- said

professor. and 2011. Gallup said the sample they agreed with the statement. That’s

size was not large enough to examine the same percentage of Hispanic

According to an earlier report based on differences between recent graduates students who attended any other kind

the Gallup-Purdue study, if graduates and all respondents. of institution who reported having a

recalled “supportive relationships with professor who cared.

professors and mentors,” they were “Although HBCUs are struggling in a

twice as likely to say their education number of areas, their overall success The percentages related to other

was worth the price. in providing black graduates with a categories of well-being were similarly

better college experience than they comparable.

Nearly 50 percent of all college would get at non-HBCUs needs to be

graduates who accumulated $25,000 or examined more closely, and potentially Busteed said the researchers can’t

more in student debt said they strongly modeled, at other institutions,” the say for sure why Hispanic students

5Ne0ar%ly don’t thrive emotionally at Hispanic-
serving institutions in the way black
students do at HBCUs, but one
“strong hypothesis” lies in the different
ways the institutions are categorized.
While HBCUs are typically defined
by having an institutional mission
completely devoted to serving black
students, Hispanic-serving institutions
are defined as colleges or universities

of all college graduates in which Hispanic students make up
25 percent of the total enrollment.
who accumulated “HBCUs are designated as such
because there’s a distinction around
$25,000 or more their intuitional mission and purpose,”
Busteed said. “But with Hispanic-
in student debt serving institutions, they’re defined by
enrollment numbers, not mission.”
said they strongly agreed that

college was worth it
if they had those kinds of relationships
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HBCU leaders
focus on
LGBT inclusion

during summit with advocacy group

The summit on LGBT inclusion hadn’t
even wrapped for the day. Still, Walter
Kimbrough was already mulling over
an idea to bring back to his campus.

“Somebody talked about the president
of Morgan State has sort of like, an
advisory board,” said Kimbrough,
president of Dillard University, a
private institution in New Orleans. “So
I was like, yeah, I could do that. And do
it immediately.”

“I really want them to view us as real,
genuine partners in this work,” said Leslie
Hall, manager of the advocacy group’s HBCU
Project. “And that we are here to support
them, as they go back to their campuses.”

More than a dozen HBCUs were represented at the gathering, including
Morehouse College in Atlanta, Fayetteville State University in North
Carolina and Howard University in Washington, D.C., according to
the Human Rights Campaign. Hall said it was important to “shoot for
the top” with the event, bringing the issue directly to higher-ups within
university administrations — people who could quickly spark changes.

“My program put our money where our mouth is, we funded their trip
here, we funded their stay, because we are very serious about making sure
that these leaders know that this is an important investment that they
need to make or need to expand on their campuses,” Hall said.

Coming together PICTURED: Walter M. Kimbrough
with the student panel at HRC
The summit meant that leaders of
HBCUs could come together and Only about 30 percent of HBCUs in the United States have approved
get an idea of “where we are as campus LGBTQ organizations, said Hall. Some other campuses have
an institution” when it comes to “underground” organizations that operate outside the formal structure
LGBT issues on their campuses, of the institution. And previous incidents have highlighted the struggle
said Makola Abdullah, president for LGBT inclusion on HBCU campuses. In 2013, for example, a student
of Virginia State University, when at Morgan State University in Baltimore who believed he was rejected
asked about the biggest takeaways from a fraternity because of his sexual orientation filed a complaint.
from the day. Officials could The school investigated and later announced the chapter had “violated
also compare challenges they’ve certain university regulations, procedures and policies.”
encountered and possible solutions,
which meant they could work
through issues together.

“Then, the third takeaway is that
there is an important place for
young, black, LGBTQ students, and
the challenges that they go through,
and how do we as HBCUs begin
to position ourselves to be on the
cutting edge of that work, I think is
also important,” said Abdullah.

30%Only about
of HBCUs in the USA
Brought to you by: washingtonpost.com
have approved campus

LGBTQ organizations

By Ndeh Anyu Kiari E

Growing up in the Midwest, I never knew about The energy emanating from campus literally gave me
historically Black colleges and universities chills as I envisioned myself becoming part of this
(HBCUs). One day, during my junior year in high community.
school, my assistant principal pulled me aside and The landscape of success at NCCU was the
told me something I didn’t quite understand at the direct opposite of what I observed growing up
time: “Will, you can have a college experience, or you in Minneapolis. As I became involved in the
can have an HBCU experience.” Neither of us knew it, NCCU community, I also began to realize my
but his words would forever change my life. purpose. Whereas my goal in Minneapolis was to
I was shocked and amazed when I set foot on the merelysurvive, my purpose at NCCU was to thrive.
campus of North Carolina Central University Here I had the opportunity to sit and learn from Black
(NCCU) for the first time. Up to this point in my professors; I could walk the yard and witness Black
life, I had never seen so many educated Black people. people hosting discussions about Black liberation,
Students walked with a sense of purpose and integrity, politics, educational reform, stock trading and
and they spoke with an elegance that was foreign to everything else under the sun.
me. In them, I saw future doctors, lawyers, educators,
business people, philanthropists and change agents. I was amazed to learn that great scholars and
activists such as John Hope Franklin, LeRoy
T. Walker and Zora Neal Hurston had once
taught engaging and inquisitive minds at NCCU.
Change agents such as Julius L. Chambers,
Maynard Jackson, G.K. Butterfeild, Herman
Boone and 9th Wonder once walked the same
campus I now called home.

Brought to you by: diverseeducation.com

It was fascinating to learn the history of how a who come from all walks of life but who all have the
local pharmacist, who had a dream and a vision, same end-goal in mind: being successful. Through
created what would become one of the top HBCUs, this organization, I found brothers who shared my
according to US News and World Report. ambitions — men who decided their lives would
Moving halfway across the country from not be dictated by their pasts, but instead by what
Minneapolis to Durham, North Carolina, was a they envisioned becoming.
culture shock. At first, I was filled with fear about Our mentors were the most significant part of the
organization. They went above and beyond their
Editoralthe thought of leaving my family and friends. But professional obligations. When we as a cohort
when I arrived at NCCU, I quickly found friends struggled educationally, mentally or emotionally,
that I consider family today. I became a part of they were there. When we succeeded inside and
communities I never thought possible. I went from out of the classroom, they were present. When we
being a kid who never thought much of himself to a needed a shoulder to cry on because of problems
man who saw the world as his oyster. outside our control, they listened. Through CSP,
During my sophomore year, I became a member I found a sense of belonging and decided higher
of an organization called the Centennial Scholars education was what I was called to do.
Program (CSP), which is a brotherhood of men

Will, you can have a college experience,
or you can have an HBCU experience.

Toward the end of my junior year, I started planning Being able to see the intricacies of such institutional
for life after NCCU. Up to this point, my trajectory had mechanisms while on this search committee further
been leading me toward a path in law. As a child, I had encouraged me toward charting a path in the direction of
envisioned myself becoming an attorney who fought for higher education.
others. I imagined working day and night to ensure my After completing two degrees at NCCU, I am now fortunate
clients would receive the best possible legal counsel I could enough to not only work at the University of Pennsylvania
provide. through the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions,
But midway through my senior year something changed. but I will also begin a new journey toward attaining my
At this point, our current chancellor was leaving, and I was doctorate in higher education here at Penn this upcoming
selected to sit on the committee to pick the next leader of fall.
NCCU. Throughout this process, I began learning about the In many ways, I consider NCCU my Mecca. It was at this
various facets of a university. It was captivating to discover extraordinary place I learned to tap into my potential. I
how drastically different academic affairs was from student learned not only about myself, but also about people from
affairs, even as they depended upon one another. Similarly, all walks of life; I engaged with individuals who practiced
I was amazed to learn that the way an institution is funded different religions, but we knew we were all one and the
dictates how different departments are financed. same. I was mentored by great visionaries who remain
paramount to me till this day. But most of all I found my
purpose — and for that I will forever be grateful.

What is the Future

for America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities?

A tour through the campus of Morris Brown In 2003, the school had an enrollment of
College on Atlanta’s west side is a journey 2,700. Today, it has 40 students. Morris
through history and, now, despair. Brown College is an extreme example of
the dire financial challenges facing many
The president’s home is boarded up. Up and down Martin Luther King Boulevard, of the nation’s more than 100 HBCUs.
the area’s main thoroughfare, old student dormitories resemble blown out abandoned The schools, the majority of which were
factories. The school’s dilapidated football stadium nearby is rotting, quite literally, founded in the Reconstruction Era as
from the inside — years removed from its last home game. black Americans searched for a formal
education that had eluded them for
Beneath the cracks, though, there is a proud history. It is one of the few historically centuries, played a huge role in creating
black colleges and universities (HBCUs) with black founders. The renowned black the black middle class and have remained
scholar and activist, W.E.B. Du Bois held an office at the campus’ historic Fountain central to African-American life in the
Hall and the school counts many well known black athletes, writers and artists as United States.
alumni. “We’ve been in a battle,” school President Stanley Pritchett told NBC News
as he walked along the school’s still mostly well-kept main quad. Today, though, many are grappling with
severe levels of debt, declining enrollment
That battle began more than a decade ago when the 136-year-old school lost and, even, relevance as they compete in a
accreditation after a financial scandal that nearly led to its closure. With no hyper-competitive environment for the
accreditation status, all students enrolled at the school were no longer eligible to best and brightest black students.
receive financial aid — a devastating prospect for the more than 90 percent of
students who relied on aid and which accounted for 70 percent of the college’s “We have a few bright spots in the
income. The losses were staggering. community, but by and large the overall
sector is struggling,” said Johnny Taylor,
Beneath the cracks, though, President and CEO of the Thurgood
there is a proud history. Marshall Fund, the only national
organization that supports all HBCUs.
“The underfunding problem cannot be
overstated.”

Despite the structural challenges, HBCUs
continue to outperform their peers in
some respects. While HBCUs represent
only three percent of all U.S. colleges, they
produce 17 percent of African-Americans
with bachelor’s degrees and 24 percent of
all black scientists and engineers. And, by
and large, at a time of stratospheric tuition
rates, HBCUs have continued to serve
academically and financially disadvantaged
students — known as “at risk” students in
financial aid parlance.

US President Donald Trump talks with leaders of historically black universities and colleges before
posing for a group photo in the Oval Office of the White House before a meeting with US Vice
President Mike Pence February 27, 2017 in Washington, DC.
Photography: BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI / AFP - Getty Images

In 2003, the school had President Trump Vows to Help

2,700an enrollment of In his “listening session” earlier this month in commemoration of Black
History Month, President Trump reportedly discussed the idea of helping
40Today, it has out the nation’s struggling HBCUs with the weight of an executive order.

students Buzzfeed reported that Paris Dennard, a pro-Trump political
commentator who works on strategic communications for the Thurgood
Brought to you by: nbcnews.com Marshall College Fund, told the president that he could enshrine his
legacy with black America if he acted on helping out the struggling
schools — especially given President Obama’s mixed HBCU legacy.

Trump was reportedly shocked that many of the schools faced, in some
cases, existential challenges. Under the guidance of Omarosa Manigault,
the Trump campaign’s director of African-American outreach and a close
aide, the White House has worked for weeks on drafting an executive
order.

On Monday, President Trump exchanged greetings with 64 HBCU
presidents in the oval office before the group met with Vice President
Pence. Pence praised HBCU contributions to American history and
culture and said that Trump remains committed to supporting them.

Trump was reportedly shocked that many of the schools faced, in some
cases, existential challenges. Under the guidance of Omarosa Manigault,
the Trump campaign’s director of African-American outreach and a close
aide, the White House has worked for weeks on drafting an executive
order.

On Monday, President Trump exchanged greetings with 64 HBCU
presidents in the oval office before the group met with Vice President
Pence. Pence praised HBCU contributions to American history and
culture and said that Trump remains committed to supporting them.

Included among the attendees was Morehouse College President John
Silvanus Wilson Jr., whose contract was not renewed last month by the
board of trustees at the all-male college. During his tenure, Wilson has
slashed the college’s budget by $2.5 million and cut or downgraded 75
jobs.

“Our enrollment in ‘05 was 3,000 students. When I got here it was
2,000,” Wilson told NBC News just outside his office. “And yet, in my
four years, we’ve raised $70 million. We’ve begun to stabilize.”

The campus of Morehouse sits less than two miles south of Morris
Brown College but it may as well be a different city. The building’s red-
brick neoclassical buildings are well-kept and its lawns well-manicured.
While Morris Brown is bereft of students, Morehouse is abuzz with
activity. The problems plaguing Morris Brown, though, have struck
Morehouse — one of the most prestigious HBCUs in the nation who
has produced grads Martin Luther King Jr, director Spike Lee and actor
Samuel L. Jackson among its long, storied past.

A presidential executive order, Wilson says, should focus on preparing
HBCUs for the new economy with investments in science, technology,
engineering and math (STEM) programs. Wilson believes many HBCUs
will close in the coming decades in a natural response to market forces, as
all-women’s colleges have dwindled in number in the last 40 years.

“Our job is to make sure that Morehouse is around when that happens,”
said Wilson.

m

DIVIN

The National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) is a
collaborative organization of nine historically
African American, international Greek
lettered fraternities and sororities.

NE 9 AD

The council promotes interaction through forums,
meetings and other mediums for the exchange of
information and engages in cooperative programming
and initiatives through various activities and functions.

• Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCU's) are
institutions of higher education in
the United States that were
established before 1965 with the
intention of primary serving the
African-American community.
• There are 107 HBCU's in the
United States, including public and
private institutions, community and
4-year institutions, medical and law
schools.
• Most were created in the
aftermath of the American Civil War
and are in the former slave states.

27 52 83 38OF THE 107 HBCU INSTITUTIONS TODAY
offer doctoral provide graduate offer a bachelors OFFER ASSOCIATE
programs programs at the degree program DEgREES
Master's level

Roughly 10% of the HBCU'
offered online degrees in 2013.