The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Terrence L. Johnson to Lead Emory University’s Candler School of Theology

Currently serving as the Charles G. Adams Professor of African American Religious Studies at Harvard Divinity School, Dr. Johnson is slated to become the next Mary Lee Hardin Willard Dean of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University on August 1.

Austin Jamar Banks Named Dean of Students at Hendrix College in Arkansas

“Hendrix is a place where relationships matter, and students deserve to be seen, recognized, and heard,” said Banks. “Hendrix is a place like no other, and I am deeply honored to be a part of such an amazing community.”

Waverly Duck Is the New Editor-in-Chief of *Sociology of Race & Ethnicity*

Dr. Duck is the North Hall Chair Endowed Professor of Sociology and associate director of the Center on Black Studies Research at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Eddie Phillips Named the First Black President of National Louis University

Dr. Phillips joined the National Louis University administration in 2021 as vice provost of academic programs and accreditation. One year later, he became the university's first Black provost and vice president of academic affairs. Now, he is slated to become the university's first Black president on August 1.

Research & Studies

UCLA Study Analyzes HIV-Criminalization Among Black Americans

Compared to other Americans, Black Americans are more likely to live with HIV and experience greater police surveillance. Together, these twin epidemics have placed Black Americans living with HIV at an increase risk of criminal justice system involvement.

Pew Research Center Examines How Black Americans Define Family

Black Americans are more likely than other adults in the United States to say their family includes at least one person who is not a direct relative. They are also more likely to feel close to extended family members and more likely to provide their family members with financial support.

Changes to Cannabis Laws Have Not Reduced Racial Disparities in Arrests

Notably, legalization has substantially reduced the volume of cannabis-related arrests in the United States, but it has not changed the relative differences in arrests between Black and White Americans.

Recent National Institutes of Health Grant Terminations Disproportionately Impacted BIPOC Scientists

“When funding disruptions disproportionately affect researchers who focus on health disparities, the consequences go far beyond individual careers,” said Rebecca Fielding-Miller, associate professor at the University of California, San Diego. “They also shape which scientific questions get asked, and whose health ultimately receives attention.”

Get the FREE JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Quote of the Week

“We live in a time where people are questioning the intellectual capacity of Black people. To pick on Blacks as if we are dumb and stupid defies logic. Let them know about your brain.”

Michael Eric Dyson,
speaking at the commencement ceremony of historically Black Claflin University in South Carolina

(photo credit: Oregon State University CC BY-SA 2.0.)

Statistic of the Week

33%
Percentage of adult Americans who feel close to a grandparent
48%
Percentage of Black Americans who feel close to a grandparent

source: Pew Research Center (see JBHE post)

Popular Categories

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

UCLA Study Analyzes HIV-Criminalization Among Black Americans

Compared to other Americans, Black Americans are more likely to live with HIV and experience greater police surveillance. Together, these twin epidemics have placed Black Americans living with HIV at an increase risk of criminal justice system involvement.

Terrence L. Johnson to Lead Emory University’s Candler School of Theology

Currently serving as the Charles G. Adams Professor of African American Religious Studies at Harvard Divinity School, Dr. Johnson is slated to become the next Mary Lee Hardin Willard Dean of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University on August 1.

Pew Research Center Examines How Black Americans Define Family

Black Americans are more likely than other adults in the United States to say their family includes at least one person who is not a direct relative. They are also more likely to feel close to extended family members and more likely to provide their family members with financial support.

Austin Jamar Banks Named Dean of Students at Hendrix College in Arkansas

“Hendrix is a place where relationships matter, and students deserve to be seen, recognized, and heard,” said Banks. “Hendrix is a place like no other, and I am deeply honored to be a part of such an amazing community.”

Changes to Cannabis Laws Have Not Reduced Racial Disparities in Arrests

Notably, legalization has substantially reduced the volume of cannabis-related arrests in the United States, but it has not changed the relative differences in arrests between Black and White Americans.

Waverly Duck Is the New Editor-in-Chief of *Sociology of Race & Ethnicity*

Dr. Duck is the North Hall Chair Endowed Professor of Sociology and associate director of the Center on Black Studies Research at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Federal Lawsuit Challenges the Reorganization of Kentucky State University

A group of Kentucky State University students, alumni, and prospective students recently filed a federal lawsuit regarding Kentucky's Senate Bill 185, which declares a state of financial exigency at the HBCU and assigns the university a new polytechnic mission centered on STEM education.

Princeton’s Nell Irvin Painter Recognized by the Society of American Historians

Professor Painter has been awarded for her distinguished scholarship in American history. Currently a professor emerita at Princeton University, she has authored nine books throughout her career.

Bennett College Sues External Alumnae Association for Trademark Infringement

Bennett College is suing the Bennet College National Alumnae Association for illegal use of the HBCU's logo and reputation. According to the college, the association's external events have caused confusion among donors and could pose risks to the HBCU's accreditation.

New Appointments for Three Black Administrators in Higher Education

Terrence Brooks is associate vice provost for campus engagement at Rice University. Victoria Neason Wallace will serve as vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions at Bates College in Maine and Eric Burns is director of athletics at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.

Winston-Salem State University Launches Transfer Pathways for Local Community College Students

Under seven new academic pathway agreements, students at Forsyth Technical Community College can take up to nine credit hours at Winston-Salem State University while paying Forsyth Tech tuition, thereby saving money and time in their pursuit of a four-year college degree.

Thavolia Glymph Elected to the American Philosophical Society

Dr. Glymph is the Peabody Family Distinguished Professor of History, professor of history, and professor of law at Duke University in North Carolina. She was the first Black woman to serve as president of the American Historical Association.

HBCUs Have Played a Major Role in Our Reaching for the Stars

To date, it is thought that some 18 African-American astronauts have made the journey to space (more if private space flights like Space X and Blue Origin are included). Many have connections with HBCUs.

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.

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.

Bowie State University to Lay Off Employees as the HBCU Faces an $18 Million Deficit

For the upcoming fiscal year 2027, Bowie State University in Maryland will face an $18 million deficit. To address this shortfall, the HBCU plans to eliminate 79 positions through a combination of vacancies, reorganization, and layoffs.

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.

Justice Department Claims UCLA’s Medical School Illegally Considered Race in Admissions

The U.S. Department of Justice claims the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles has illegally considered race in its admissions processes by admitting Black and Hispanic students with lower academic qualifications than their White and Asian peers.

African American Postdoc Sues Dartmouth College for Race and Sex Discrimination

Charan Williams, who had been serving as a postdoctoral fellow in history at Dartmouth College, claims she was fired just one day after the Ivy League institution had approved a course she developed and planned to teach.

In Memoriam: Gregory V. Murphy, 1956–2026

Dr. Murphy was the first Black man to earn a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee. He taught for more than two decades at Tuskegee University.

Recent National Institutes of Health Grant Terminations Disproportionately Impacted BIPOC Scientists

“When funding disruptions disproportionately affect researchers who focus on health disparities, the consequences go far beyond individual careers,” said Rebecca Fielding-Miller, associate professor at the University of California, San Diego. “They also shape which scientific questions get asked, and whose health ultimately receives attention.”

Eddie Phillips Named the First Black President of National Louis University

Dr. Phillips joined the National Louis University administration in 2021 as vice provost of academic programs and accreditation. One year later, he became the university's first Black provost and vice president of academic affairs. Now, he is slated to become the university's first Black president on August 1.

Eliminating Legacy Preferences in Admissions Does Not Guarantee Increases in Student Diversity

In an examination of seven cases of legacy preference bans in higher education admissions, scholars from Vanderbilt University have found these bans are not enough to increase campus diversity. Instead, these bans often replace wealthy legacy applicants with other students from high-income backgrounds.

Lonnie T. Brown to Lead the Temple University School of Law

Professor Brown has been serving as dean of the Winston College of Law at the University of Tennessee. He will begin his new role of dean of the Beasley School of Law at Temple University in Philadelphia on August 1.

Students Who Take Ethnic Studies Courses Experience Broader Overall Academic Achievement

A new study has linked enrollment in ethnic studies courses to higher GPAs, reduced course failure, and better math and science performance for middle and high school students, with Black and Latinx students experiencing the largest gains.

All Recent Posts

UCLA Study Analyzes HIV-Criminalization Among Black Americans

Compared to other Americans, Black Americans are more likely to live with HIV and experience greater police surveillance. Together, these twin epidemics have placed Black Americans living with HIV at an increase risk of criminal justice system involvement.

Terrence L. Johnson to Lead Emory University’s Candler School of Theology

Currently serving as the Charles G. Adams Professor of African American Religious Studies at Harvard Divinity School, Dr. Johnson is slated to become the next Mary Lee Hardin Willard Dean of the Candler School of Theology at Emory University on August 1.

Pew Research Center Examines How Black Americans Define Family

Black Americans are more likely than other adults in the United States to say their family includes at least one person who is not a direct relative. They are also more likely to feel close to extended family members and more likely to provide their family members with financial support.

Austin Jamar Banks Named Dean of Students at Hendrix College in Arkansas

“Hendrix is a place where relationships matter, and students deserve to be seen, recognized, and heard,” said Banks. “Hendrix is a place like no other, and I am deeply honored to be a part of such an amazing community.”

Changes to Cannabis Laws Have Not Reduced Racial Disparities in Arrests

Notably, legalization has substantially reduced the volume of cannabis-related arrests in the United States, but it has not changed the relative differences in arrests between Black and White Americans.

Waverly Duck Is the New Editor-in-Chief of *Sociology of Race & Ethnicity*

Dr. Duck is the North Hall Chair Endowed Professor of Sociology and associate director of the Center on Black Studies Research at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Federal Lawsuit Challenges the Reorganization of Kentucky State University

A group of Kentucky State University students, alumni, and prospective students recently filed a federal lawsuit regarding Kentucky's Senate Bill 185, which declares a state of financial exigency at the HBCU and assigns the university a new polytechnic mission centered on STEM education.

Princeton’s Nell Irvin Painter Recognized by the Society of American Historians

Professor Painter has been awarded for her distinguished scholarship in American history. Currently a professor emerita at Princeton University, she has authored nine books throughout her career.

Bennett College Sues External Alumnae Association for Trademark Infringement

Bennett College is suing the Bennet College National Alumnae Association for illegal use of the HBCU's logo and reputation. According to the college, the association's external events have caused confusion among donors and could pose risks to the HBCU's accreditation.

New Appointments for Three Black Administrators in Higher Education

Terrence Brooks is associate vice provost for campus engagement at Rice University. Victoria Neason Wallace will serve as vice president for enrollment and dean of admissions at Bates College in Maine and Eric Burns is director of athletics at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.

Winston-Salem State University Launches Transfer Pathways for Local Community College Students

Under seven new academic pathway agreements, students at Forsyth Technical Community College can take up to nine credit hours at Winston-Salem State University while paying Forsyth Tech tuition, thereby saving money and time in their pursuit of a four-year college degree.

Thavolia Glymph Elected to the American Philosophical Society

Dr. Glymph is the Peabody Family Distinguished Professor of History, professor of history, and professor of law at Duke University in North Carolina. She was the first Black woman to serve as president of the American Historical Association.

HBCUs Have Played a Major Role in Our Reaching for the Stars

To date, it is thought that some 18 African-American astronauts have made the journey to space (more if private space flights like Space X and Blue Origin are included). Many have connections with HBCUs.

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.

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.

Bowie State University to Lay Off Employees as the HBCU Faces an $18 Million Deficit

For the upcoming fiscal year 2027, Bowie State University in Maryland will face an $18 million deficit. To address this shortfall, the HBCU plans to eliminate 79 positions through a combination of vacancies, reorganization, and layoffs.

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.

Justice Department Claims UCLA’s Medical School Illegally Considered Race in Admissions

The U.S. Department of Justice claims the David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California, Los Angeles has illegally considered race in its admissions processes by admitting Black and Hispanic students with lower academic qualifications than their White and Asian peers.

African American Postdoc Sues Dartmouth College for Race and Sex Discrimination

Charan Williams, who had been serving as a postdoctoral fellow in history at Dartmouth College, claims she was fired just one day after the Ivy League institution had approved a course she developed and planned to teach.

In Memoriam: Gregory V. Murphy, 1956–2026

Dr. Murphy was the first Black man to earn a Ph.D. in electrical engineering from the University of Tennessee. He taught for more than two decades at Tuskegee University.