The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Many HBCUs See a Surge In Enrollments

Many of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities had a record number of applicants this past admissions cycle. And many HBCUs have reported a significant increase in enrollments this fall.

Leapetswe Malete Named President-Elect of the National Sport and Physical Activity Organization

The North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity has appointed Leapetswe Malete to the post of president-elect. The Michigan State associate professor will serve as president-elect for one year, followed by one year as president.

Joe Russell Appointed Dean of Students at Middlebury College in Vermont

Joe Russell is the new dean of students at Middlebury College. He previously spent nearly two decades at the University of Vermont, most recently serving as assistant dean of students.

Research & Studies

Black Junior Professors Receive Unfair Decisions When Seeking Promotions and Tenure

A new study led by the University of Houston has found Black and Hispanic junior faculty members are more likely to receive negative votes and less likely to receive unanimous approvals from their promotion committees. They are also judged more harshly for their academic output compared to peers with similar productivity.

Pew Research Center Report Examines Changes in Enrollments at HBCUs

Since 1976, the share of Black student enrollment at HBCUs has increased by 15 percent, while the share of non-Black HBCU students increased by 117 percent. This has caused a decrease in Black students' overall representation at HBCUs, which has dropped from 85 percent in 1976 to 76 percent in 2022.

Study Finds Black High School Students Tend to Doubt Their Math Teachers’ Capabilities

Black high school students, particularly Black girls, tend to doubt their math teachers' capabilities to provide them with an adequate education, resulting in a frequent misunderstanding of the importance of math skills in pursuing their future careers.

Study Finds Preterm Births Among Low-Income Black Women Are on the Rise

From 2014-2022, the rate of preterm births in the United States rose from 6.8 percent to 7.5 percent. However, among Black women with public insurance, this rate jumped to a staggering 11.3 percent.

Statistic of the Week

26%
Percentage of all parents of White children in American K-12 education that met with school guidance counselors in the 2022-23 academic year
37%
Percentage of all parents of Black children in American K-12 education that met with school guidance counselors in the 2022-23 academic year

Source: U.S. Department of Education (see JBHE post)

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Quote of the Week

“We didn’t get here by being safe. Our ancestors were not safe. So, what right do we have to our safety? What we’ve got to do is what we’ve got to do.”

Ta-Nehisi Coates,

speaking at Howard University, October 3, 2024

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

Gerald McWorter Donates Archival Materials to the University of Illinois

Dr. McWorter - also known as Abdul Alkalimat - has donated a collection of his papers to the archives at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he is a professor emeritus of African American studies. The donation includes materials on the history of the Black studies field and the civil rights movement, as well as personal family records.

Grinnell College Dedicates Building in Honor of First Black Alumna Edith Renfrow Smith

Renfrow Smith, who recently celebrated her 110th birthday, is Grinnell College's first Black alumna and oldest living alum. The newly established Renfrow Hall will serve as a space for the college and local community to collaborate on civic engagement projects.

In Memoriam: Edward Cox, 1943-2024

Dr. Cox was a professor of history at Rice University for nearly three decades. He was a member of Rice's Task Force on Slavery, Segregation, and Racial Injustice, an advisor for the Black Student Association, and founding director of the Mellon Undergraduate Fellowship program

Black Junior Professors Receive Unfair Decisions When Seeking Promotions and Tenure

A new study led by the University of Houston has found Black and Hispanic junior faculty members are more likely to receive negative votes and less likely to receive unanimous approvals from their promotion committees. They are also judged more harshly for their academic output compared to peers with similar productivity.

More High-Ranking Colleges and Universities Report Declines in Entering Black Students

In the aftermath of the June 29, 2023 United States Supreme Court decision banning the consideration in college admissions decisions, more high-ranking colleges and universities have reported a drop in Black enrollments for their entering classes this fall.

Pew Research Center Report Examines Changes in Enrollments at HBCUs

Since 1976, the share of Black student enrollment at HBCUs has increased by 15 percent, while the share of non-Black HBCU students increased by 117 percent. This has caused a decrease in Black students' overall representation at HBCUs, which has dropped from 85 percent in 1976 to 76 percent in 2022.

Kyle Williams Appointed Dean of Intercultural Engagement at Oberlin College in Ohio

Dr. Williams comes to Oberlin College and Conservatory from Emory University in Atlanta, where he served as dean of campus life. His career in student affairs has been dedicated to advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in college communities.

Study Finds Black High School Students Tend to Doubt Their Math Teachers’ Capabilities

Black high school students, particularly Black girls, tend to doubt their math teachers' capabilities to provide them with an adequate education, resulting in a frequent misunderstanding of the importance of math skills in pursuing their future careers.

Kimberlé Crenshaw Honored With Harvard’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal

Presented by Harvard University, the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal is considered the university's highest honor in the field of African and African American studies.

Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University Launch Joint School of Public Health

The Joint School of Public Health at Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University will offer six new degree programs to students at both institutions, including a new Ph.D. program in health services research.

Seven Black Scholars Receive Faculty Appointments at Colleges and Universities

Here is this week’s roundup of Black scholars who have been appointed to new faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@jbhe.com.

U.S. Department of State Facilitates Collaborative Conference for African Universities and HBCUs

The U.S. Department of State and the Mississippi Consortium for International Development recently organized a conference aimed at connecting leaders from African universities and HBCUs and strengthening global educational partnerships.

Barbara Savage Receives Book Award for Her Recent Biography of Merze Tate

The Before Columbus Foundation has honored Barbara Savage, professor emerita at the University of Pennsylvania, with their 2024 American Book Award for her book, Merze Tate: The Global Odyssey of a Black Woman Scholar.

Morehouse School of Medicine Establishes Industry Partnership to Advance Cancer Research

The Institute of Translational Genomic Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine has established a new partnership with Manifold, an AI-powered clinical data platform. The new partnership will enhance the institute's research in understanding how cancer manifests in underrepresented populations.

Six African Americans Who Have Been Appointed to Administrative Posts in Higher Education

Here is this week’s roundup of African Americans who have been appointed to new administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@jbhe.com.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Wendell Harris, 1940-2024

Throughout his career in education, Harris served in a wide variety of settings including K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. He also spent several years as an administrator with the New York Department of Education.

Seven Black Academics Are Among This Year’s “Genius Award” Winners

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation recently announced the 22 latest recipients in its fellowship program, commonly referred to as “genius grants.” MacArthur fellows receive a grant of $800,000 over five years to spend however they want on their academic or creative endeavors. Seven of the 22 winners are Black scholars with ties to the academic world.

Study Finds Preterm Births Among Low-Income Black Women Are on the Rise

From 2014-2022, the rate of preterm births in the United States rose from 6.8 percent to 7.5 percent. However, among Black women with public insurance, this rate jumped to a staggering 11.3 percent.

Many HBCUs See a Surge In Enrollments

Many of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities had a record number of applicants this past admissions cycle. And many HBCUs have reported a significant increase in enrollments this fall.

Federal Report Examines Racial Differences in Parent Involvement in K-12 School Activities

The Department of Education has recently released their 2023 edition of their Parental and Family Involvement in Education report. The study outlines parents' involvement in children's activities and school meetings, their satisfaction with school characteristics, and their communication with teachers and school officials.

Leapetswe Malete Named President-Elect of the National Sport and Physical Activity Organization

The North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity has appointed Leapetswe Malete to the post of president-elect. The Michigan State associate professor will serve as president-elect for one year, followed by one year as president.

Encountering Online Microaggressions is Associated With Poor Sleep Quality for Black Women

When Black women encounter online microaggressions directed at other Black women, they are more likely to experience poor sleep quality. These vicarious online microaggressions were found to be more harmful for sleep quality than encountering in-person microaggressions.

All Recent Posts

Gerald McWorter Donates Archival Materials to the University of Illinois

Dr. McWorter - also known as Abdul Alkalimat - has donated a collection of his papers to the archives at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he is a professor emeritus of African American studies. The donation includes materials on the history of the Black studies field and the civil rights movement, as well as personal family records.

Grinnell College Dedicates Building in Honor of First Black Alumna Edith Renfrow Smith

Renfrow Smith, who recently celebrated her 110th birthday, is Grinnell College's first Black alumna and oldest living alum. The newly established Renfrow Hall will serve as a space for the college and local community to collaborate on civic engagement projects.

In Memoriam: Edward Cox, 1943-2024

Dr. Cox was a professor of history at Rice University for nearly three decades. He was a member of Rice's Task Force on Slavery, Segregation, and Racial Injustice, an advisor for the Black Student Association, and founding director of the Mellon Undergraduate Fellowship program

Black Junior Professors Receive Unfair Decisions When Seeking Promotions and Tenure

A new study led by the University of Houston has found Black and Hispanic junior faculty members are more likely to receive negative votes and less likely to receive unanimous approvals from their promotion committees. They are also judged more harshly for their academic output compared to peers with similar productivity.

More High-Ranking Colleges and Universities Report Declines in Entering Black Students

In the aftermath of the June 29, 2023 United States Supreme Court decision banning the consideration in college admissions decisions, more high-ranking colleges and universities have reported a drop in Black enrollments for their entering classes this fall.

Pew Research Center Report Examines Changes in Enrollments at HBCUs

Since 1976, the share of Black student enrollment at HBCUs has increased by 15 percent, while the share of non-Black HBCU students increased by 117 percent. This has caused a decrease in Black students' overall representation at HBCUs, which has dropped from 85 percent in 1976 to 76 percent in 2022.

Kyle Williams Appointed Dean of Intercultural Engagement at Oberlin College in Ohio

Dr. Williams comes to Oberlin College and Conservatory from Emory University in Atlanta, where he served as dean of campus life. His career in student affairs has been dedicated to advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in college communities.

Study Finds Black High School Students Tend to Doubt Their Math Teachers’ Capabilities

Black high school students, particularly Black girls, tend to doubt their math teachers' capabilities to provide them with an adequate education, resulting in a frequent misunderstanding of the importance of math skills in pursuing their future careers.

Kimberlé Crenshaw Honored With Harvard’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal

Presented by Harvard University, the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal is considered the university's highest honor in the field of African and African American studies.

Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University Launch Joint School of Public Health

The Joint School of Public Health at Norfolk State University and Old Dominion University will offer six new degree programs to students at both institutions, including a new Ph.D. program in health services research.

Seven Black Scholars Receive Faculty Appointments at Colleges and Universities

Here is this week’s roundup of Black scholars who have been appointed to new faculty positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@jbhe.com.

U.S. Department of State Facilitates Collaborative Conference for African Universities and HBCUs

The U.S. Department of State and the Mississippi Consortium for International Development recently organized a conference aimed at connecting leaders from African universities and HBCUs and strengthening global educational partnerships.

Barbara Savage Receives Book Award for Her Recent Biography of Merze Tate

The Before Columbus Foundation has honored Barbara Savage, professor emerita at the University of Pennsylvania, with their 2024 American Book Award for her book, Merze Tate: The Global Odyssey of a Black Woman Scholar.

Morehouse School of Medicine Establishes Industry Partnership to Advance Cancer Research

The Institute of Translational Genomic Medicine at Morehouse School of Medicine has established a new partnership with Manifold, an AI-powered clinical data platform. The new partnership will enhance the institute's research in understanding how cancer manifests in underrepresented populations.

Six African Americans Who Have Been Appointed to Administrative Posts in Higher Education

Here is this week’s roundup of African Americans who have been appointed to new administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@jbhe.com.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: Wendell Harris, 1940-2024

Throughout his career in education, Harris served in a wide variety of settings including K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities. He also spent several years as an administrator with the New York Department of Education.

Seven Black Academics Are Among This Year’s “Genius Award” Winners

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation recently announced the 22 latest recipients in its fellowship program, commonly referred to as “genius grants.” MacArthur fellows receive a grant of $800,000 over five years to spend however they want on their academic or creative endeavors. Seven of the 22 winners are Black scholars with ties to the academic world.