The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Marva Johnson Named President of Florida A&M University

“I will approach this role with bold vision — focused on student success, innovation, and national prominence — while building strong bridges with the FAMU community and honoring the legacy that makes this university so special," said Johnson

S. Keith Hargrove Appointed Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University

“Throughout my career in higher education, I have been a strong proponent of student achievement,” said Dr. Hargrove. “I am excited to lead Elizabeth City State University with a focus on academic excellence and success, fiscal and leadership stability, and a vision for growth and elevated reputation.”

Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway Stepping Down to Lead the Henry Luce Foundation

Rutgers University's first Black president, Jonathan Holloway, was slated to step down from his presidency and return to a full-time faculty position in 2026. However, he recently announced that he will leave Rutgers to become president of the Luce Foundation on October 1.

F. DuBois Bowman Named President of Morehouse College in Atlanta

"Returning to Morehouse as its thirteenth president is the honor of a lifetime," said Dr. Bowman. "This institution shaped who I am — instilling a commitment to excellence, justice, and impact. I am excited to partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to build on our legacy and write the next chapter of Morehouse's transformative story."

Get the FREE JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Research & Studies

Report Examines the Status of Black Students’ Access to Higher Education

Authored by Frank Harris III, professor of postsecondary education at San Diego State University, and Tina King, president of the San Diego College of Continuing Education, the report draws on data from several prior studies to shed light on how institutions and policymakers can ensure "all Black students can go to college and succeed without sacrificing or leaving their cultural assets behind."'

Ranking the Nation’s Highest-Ranked Universities by Their Black Student Graduation Rates

JBHE has compiled Black student graduation rates at the nation's 30 highest-ranked universities. At 29 of the 30 universities, the Black student graduation rate is 85 percent or higher. Nineteen have Black student graduation rates of 90 percent or higher.

Statistic of the Week

9.5%
Black percentage of all enrollments in U.S. graduate schools in 2000
14.2%
Black percentage of all enrollments in U.S. graduate schools in 2023

Source: U.S. Department of Education

Quote of the Week

“Just as Black history is American history, Pope Leo’s story also reminds us that Black history is, and always has been, Catholic history, including in the United States.”

Shannen Dee Williams,
associate professor of history at the University of Dayton, Associated Press, 5-9-25

Popular Categories

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

UC Riverside and the University of Michigan Launch National Center for Inclusive Governance in Higher Education

"We're not just trying to preserve programs. We're trying to protect the future of higher education," said Dr. Raquel Rall, co-director of the new Center for Strategic and Inclusive Governance.

University of New Mexico Acquires Historical Collections From Two Black Professors

The University of New Mexico has launched two archival collections featuring materials from Charles Becknell, Sr., founder of the university's Africana studies department, and Harold Bailey, an alumnus and former director of the Afro-American studies program.

Report Examines the Status of Black Students’ Access to Higher Education

Authored by Frank Harris III, professor of postsecondary education at San Diego State University, and Tina King, president of the San Diego College of Continuing Education, the report draws on data from several prior studies to shed light on how institutions and policymakers can ensure "all Black students can go to college and succeed without sacrificing or leaving their cultural assets behind."'

Marva Johnson Named President of Florida A&M University

“I will approach this role with bold vision — focused on student success, innovation, and national prominence — while building strong bridges with the FAMU community and honoring the legacy that makes this university so special," said Johnson

Americans’ Opinions on the Black Lives Matter Movement and Racial Inequality Have Changed Since 2020

Today, over three-quarters of Black adults express support for the Black Lives Matter movement, compared to 61 percent of Hispanic and Asian adults and just 45 percent of White adults.

S. Keith Hargrove Appointed Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University

“Throughout my career in higher education, I have been a strong proponent of student achievement,” said Dr. Hargrove. “I am excited to lead Elizabeth City State University with a focus on academic excellence and success, fiscal and leadership stability, and a vision for growth and elevated reputation.”

Study Finds Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Many Personal Care Products Used by Black Women

Although products containing formaldehyde have been banned in several countries and some U.S. states, many personal care items used by Black and Latina women contain the chemical.

Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway Stepping Down to Lead the Henry Luce Foundation

Rutgers University's first Black president, Jonathan Holloway, was slated to step down from his presidency and return to a full-time faculty position in 2026. However, he recently announced that he will leave Rutgers to become president of the Luce Foundation on October 1.

Federal Appropriations to Howard University to Drop by $64 Million

As part of the Trump Administration's significant cuts to the Department of Education, a new discretionary funding proposal includes a $64 million cut to Howard University's FY2026 budget, which would return the HBCU's federal funding to its FY2021 budget level.

New Appointments for Three Black Faculty Members at Universities

Brandon Hasbrouck has been selected for an endowed professorship at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Kelvin Lesene is the new director of Delaware State University's aviation program and Phokeng Dailey, a communications professor at Ohio Wesleyan University, will serve as the institution's vice president of marketing.

Hampton University and Hinds Community College at Utica Join the Thurgood Marshall College Fund

With the addition of Hampton University and Hinds Community College at Utica, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund now has 57 member schools. Institutions affiliated with the TMCF benefit from the organization's student scholarships, research opportunities, and strategic partnerships.

Matthew Morrison Receives Book Award from the Association of American Publishers

The Association of American Publishers has presented the 2025 PROSE Excellence Award in Humanities to Matthew Morrison for his book Blacksound: Making Race and Popular Music in the United States.

Stillman College Launches a New Charter School Partnership

Set to open on the Stillman College campus this fall, I Dream Big Charter School will offer a free educational option for middle-school students in Alabama. The school will also serve as a teacher development lab for Stillman students.

Six Black Americans Selected for Administrative Roles 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 [email protected].

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.

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.

Sachs Foundation Awards $1.9 Million in Scholarships to 53 Black Students

“This moment belongs to our scholars. Their brilliance, their ambition and their future,” said Ben Ralston, chief executive officer of the Sachs Foundation. “In a moment where many institutions are retreating from their commitments to equity, we’re proud to stay firm in ours."

F. DuBois Bowman Named President of Morehouse College in Atlanta

"Returning to Morehouse as its thirteenth president is the honor of a lifetime," said Dr. Bowman. "This institution shaped who I am — instilling a commitment to excellence, justice, and impact. I am excited to partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to build on our legacy and write the next chapter of Morehouse's transformative story."

Slavery and Artificial Intelligence: Both Enemies of the U.S. Worker?

If we allow AI to grow and expand in influence, without regulation, it will only lead to an AI-based economy with workers losing their jobs to robots.

In Memoriam: Cameisha Clark

Dr. Clark passed away on May 5 following complications from a being shot during an incident on the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology's campus in California three days earlier. She was a dean at the college and a three-time graduate of Clark Atlanta University.

Kennesaw State University Eliminates Its Black Studies Degree Program

The Black studies program, as well as two other bachelor's degree offerings, will be phased out at Kennesaw State University over the next two years. The institution cites a 10-year pattern of low enrollment and degree output as the reason for the programs' elimination.

In Memoriam: Valentin-Yves Mudimbe, 1941-2025

At Duke University, Dr. Mudimbe served as the Neman Ivey White Professor of Literature. He was a poet, author, and interdisciplinary scholar of African identities and histories.

Ranking the Nation’s Highest-Ranked Universities by Their Black Student Graduation Rates

JBHE has compiled Black student graduation rates at the nation's 30 highest-ranked universities. At 29 of the 30 universities, the Black student graduation rate is 85 percent or higher. Nineteen have Black student graduation rates of 90 percent or higher.

A Change in Leadership at Jackson State University

Jackson State University President Marcus Thompson abruptly resigned on May 7. Denise Jones Gregory, the HBCU's provost, has been tapped to serve as interim president.

A Study by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund Examines the Financial Well-Being of HBCU Students

The Payne Research Center at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund has conducted a survey with HBCU students to gauge their financial challenges and aspirations in an effort to develop initiatives aimed at improving their financial well-being and ability to build generational wealth.

All Recent Posts

UC Riverside and the University of Michigan Launch National Center for Inclusive Governance in Higher Education

"We're not just trying to preserve programs. We're trying to protect the future of higher education," said Dr. Raquel Rall, co-director of the new Center for Strategic and Inclusive Governance.

University of New Mexico Acquires Historical Collections From Two Black Professors

The University of New Mexico has launched two archival collections featuring materials from Charles Becknell, Sr., founder of the university's Africana studies department, and Harold Bailey, an alumnus and former director of the Afro-American studies program.

Report Examines the Status of Black Students’ Access to Higher Education

Authored by Frank Harris III, professor of postsecondary education at San Diego State University, and Tina King, president of the San Diego College of Continuing Education, the report draws on data from several prior studies to shed light on how institutions and policymakers can ensure "all Black students can go to college and succeed without sacrificing or leaving their cultural assets behind."'

Marva Johnson Named President of Florida A&M University

“I will approach this role with bold vision — focused on student success, innovation, and national prominence — while building strong bridges with the FAMU community and honoring the legacy that makes this university so special," said Johnson

Americans’ Opinions on the Black Lives Matter Movement and Racial Inequality Have Changed Since 2020

Today, over three-quarters of Black adults express support for the Black Lives Matter movement, compared to 61 percent of Hispanic and Asian adults and just 45 percent of White adults.

S. Keith Hargrove Appointed Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University

“Throughout my career in higher education, I have been a strong proponent of student achievement,” said Dr. Hargrove. “I am excited to lead Elizabeth City State University with a focus on academic excellence and success, fiscal and leadership stability, and a vision for growth and elevated reputation.”

Study Finds Cancer-Causing Chemicals in Many Personal Care Products Used by Black Women

Although products containing formaldehyde have been banned in several countries and some U.S. states, many personal care items used by Black and Latina women contain the chemical.

Rutgers University President Jonathan Holloway Stepping Down to Lead the Henry Luce Foundation

Rutgers University's first Black president, Jonathan Holloway, was slated to step down from his presidency and return to a full-time faculty position in 2026. However, he recently announced that he will leave Rutgers to become president of the Luce Foundation on October 1.

Federal Appropriations to Howard University to Drop by $64 Million

As part of the Trump Administration's significant cuts to the Department of Education, a new discretionary funding proposal includes a $64 million cut to Howard University's FY2026 budget, which would return the HBCU's federal funding to its FY2021 budget level.

New Appointments for Three Black Faculty Members at Universities

Brandon Hasbrouck has been selected for an endowed professorship at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia. Kelvin Lesene is the new director of Delaware State University's aviation program and Phokeng Dailey, a communications professor at Ohio Wesleyan University, will serve as the institution's vice president of marketing.

Hampton University and Hinds Community College at Utica Join the Thurgood Marshall College Fund

With the addition of Hampton University and Hinds Community College at Utica, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund now has 57 member schools. Institutions affiliated with the TMCF benefit from the organization's student scholarships, research opportunities, and strategic partnerships.

Matthew Morrison Receives Book Award from the Association of American Publishers

The Association of American Publishers has presented the 2025 PROSE Excellence Award in Humanities to Matthew Morrison for his book Blacksound: Making Race and Popular Music in the United States.

Stillman College Launches a New Charter School Partnership

Set to open on the Stillman College campus this fall, I Dream Big Charter School will offer a free educational option for middle-school students in Alabama. The school will also serve as a teacher development lab for Stillman students.

Six Black Americans Selected for Administrative Roles 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 [email protected].

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.

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.

Sachs Foundation Awards $1.9 Million in Scholarships to 53 Black Students

“This moment belongs to our scholars. Their brilliance, their ambition and their future,” said Ben Ralston, chief executive officer of the Sachs Foundation. “In a moment where many institutions are retreating from their commitments to equity, we’re proud to stay firm in ours."

F. DuBois Bowman Named President of Morehouse College in Atlanta

"Returning to Morehouse as its thirteenth president is the honor of a lifetime," said Dr. Bowman. "This institution shaped who I am — instilling a commitment to excellence, justice, and impact. I am excited to partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to build on our legacy and write the next chapter of Morehouse's transformative story."

Slavery and Artificial Intelligence: Both Enemies of the U.S. Worker?

If we allow AI to grow and expand in influence, without regulation, it will only lead to an AI-based economy with workers losing their jobs to robots.

In Memoriam: Cameisha Clark

Dr. Clark passed away on May 5 following complications from a being shot during an incident on the Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology's campus in California three days earlier. She was a dean at the college and a three-time graduate of Clark Atlanta University.