The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
Spelman College President Helene Gayle Announces Personal Leave of Absence
Effective immediately, Spelman College President Helene Gayle is on a personal leave of absence. The college did not specify the reason for her leave, nor her expected return date. Roz Brewer, former chair of Spelman's board of trustees, has been named interim president.
James Frazier Appointed President of the International Council for Arts Deans
James Frazier has decades of experience in higher education and professional dance performance. He currently serves as a full professor of dance and dean of the College of Fine Arts at Florida State University.
Sherita Johnson Appointed Director of the Africana Research Center at Pennsylvania State University
Sherita Johnson is a scholar of nineteenth-century African American literature and print culture. She has conducted extensive archival research on the experiences of Black writers, activists, and public intellectuals.
Research & Studies
HBCUs Spend a Significant Proportion of Their Revenue on Instructional Expenses
According to a new report from the Wesley Peachtree Institute, HBCUs spend a significantly higher proportion of their revenue on instructional expenses than non-HBCUs, suggesting an urgent need to increase investments in HBCUs through the lens of their higher expenditures.
The Importance of Same-Race Peer Groups for the Success of African American Doctoral Students
Scholars from George Washington University have shed light on the importance of participation in same-race peer groups for African American doctoral students' academic success and mental health.
Working With Predominately White Co-Workers Increases Turnover Rate for Black Women
In a new study from Harvard University, scholars have found Black women are the only race-gender group adversely affected by working with primarily White co-workers. Compared to White women, they are 51 percent more likely to leave their job within two years.
American Academy of Arts & Sciences Tracks the Status of Humanities Degrees at HBCUs
In 2022, HBCUs awarded 2,907 bachelor's degrees in humanities fields. This was a 15 percent decrease from the recent high of 3,434 degrees awarded in 2014.
Strong STEM Aptitude in High School Does Not Translate to STEM College Enrollment for Black Students
A new study from New York University has debunked a popular theory that early STEM success in childhood translates to STEM enrollment in higher education. According to their findings, a significant proportion of Black students who score well in STEM high school classes ultimately do not declare a STEM major in college.
Statistic of the Week
29.6%
Percentage of all White students who enrolled in higher education for the first time in 2019 who were no longer enrolled three years later
20.5%
Percentage of all Black students who enrolled in higher education for the first time in 2019 who were no longer enrolled three years later
Source: U.S. Department of Education (see JBHE post)
Quote of the Week
“We must use our votes to demand equity in education. The future of our institutions, the success of millions of students, and the strength of our national and local economies depends on it.”