The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Kymberly Pinder Reappointed Dean of the Yale School of Art

Dr. Pinder was named dean of the Yale School of Art in 2021, making her the first Black woman to serve as a dean at the Ivy League university. She has been reappointed to her role for a second five-year term.

Tiece M. Ruffin to Lead the School of Education at Fort Lewis College in Colorado

Dr. Ruffin comes to her new role from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she taught for the past 16 years. Dr. Ruffin focuses her research on learners with special needs, diverse learners, and pedagogical approaches for the diverse and inclusive classroom.

American Educational Research Association Honors Six Black Americans

The awardees are Vivian Gadsden of the University of Pennsylvania, James L. Moore III of Ohio State University, Nicole Patton Terry of Florida State University, Terrell R. Morton of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chezare A. Warren of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and Sean Darling-Hammond of the University of California, Berkeley.

Chantae Recasner Is the Sole Finalist for the Presidency of Olympic College in Washington

Dr. Recasner has over two decades of experience as a tenured faculty member and senior administration in higher education. She has been serving as the interim president of Seattle Central University.

Research & Studies

Stanford Study Examines How Racialized Masculinity Impacts Black Men’s Mental Health

"While hegemonic masculinity emphasizes emotional stoicism and self-reliance, racialized masculinity intensifies these demands by portraying Black men as inherently resilient and unbreakable," the authors write. "As a result, many participants expressed stigma around help-seeking, viewing emotional vulnerability as incompatible with being a strong Black man."

Study Finds Persistent Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Treatment

“If you’re developing cures for cancer, but it’s not getting into the hands of everybody who needs it, then you haven’t succeeded,” said lead author Olivia Lynch, postdoctoral research fellow at the Yale School of Medicine.

New Report Outlines Blueprint for Sustaining HBCU Presidential Leadership

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund's Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center recently published a new report discussing the skills and structural conditions necessary to retain successful HBCU presidents, who currently average less than five years in office.

The Black Immigrant Population in the United States Is on the Rise

Over the twenty-first century, the number of Black immigrants in the United States has more than doubled. Over a third of Black immigrants have at least a bachelor's degree, with 16 percent holding a master's degree or higher.

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Quote of the Week

“Economics has a gender problem, and it has a race problem.”

Elizabeth Asiedu,
professor of economics at Howard University in Washington, D.C.

Statistic of the Week

52%
Percentage of White adult women in the U.S. who have a college degree
26%
Percentage of Black adult men in the U.S. who have a college degree

Source: Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

Kymberly Pinder Reappointed Dean of the Yale School of Art

Dr. Pinder was named dean of the Yale School of Art in 2021, making her the first Black woman to serve as a dean at the Ivy League university. She has been reappointed to her role for a second five-year term.

Stanford Study Examines How Racialized Masculinity Impacts Black Men’s Mental Health

"While hegemonic masculinity emphasizes emotional stoicism and self-reliance, racialized masculinity intensifies these demands by portraying Black men as inherently resilient and unbreakable," the authors write. "As a result, many participants expressed stigma around help-seeking, viewing emotional vulnerability as incompatible with being a strong Black man."

Tiece M. Ruffin to Lead the School of Education at Fort Lewis College in Colorado

Dr. Ruffin comes to her new role from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she taught for the past 16 years. Dr. Ruffin focuses her research on learners with special needs, diverse learners, and pedagogical approaches for the diverse and inclusive classroom.

Study Finds Persistent Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Treatment

“If you’re developing cures for cancer, but it’s not getting into the hands of everybody who needs it, then you haven’t succeeded,” said lead author Olivia Lynch, postdoctoral research fellow at the Yale School of Medicine.

American Educational Research Association Honors Six Black Americans

The awardees are Vivian Gadsden of the University of Pennsylvania, James L. Moore III of Ohio State University, Nicole Patton Terry of Florida State University, Terrell R. Morton of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chezare A. Warren of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and Sean Darling-Hammond of the University of California, Berkeley.

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Streamline Federal Grant Process for HBCUs

“HBCUs are incubators of diverse excellence and have proven their ability time and again to punch above their weight,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Despite not always having every tool at their disposal, they continue to make massive contributions to the research and development community. This bipartisan bill will make securing federal dollars for their research efforts that much easier...”

New Academic Appointments for Four Black Professors

The appointments are Robert Winn at Temple University in Philadelphia, Chanita Hughes-Halbert at the University of Southern California, Caroline M. Kingori at Hampton University in Virginia, and Lawrence Udeigwe at Manhattan University,

Federal Government Used ChatGPT for Decision to Cut Grant at North Carolina Central University

In April 2025, a National Endowment for the Humanities grant awarded to North Carolina Central University was canceled by the Department of Government Efficiency with the assistance of ChatGPT. The chatbot claimed the project, which focused on the history of the HBCU, was related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Gloria Thomas Recognized for Commitment to Advancing Women’s Leadership in Higher Education

Dr. Thomas has over two decades of experience in higher education leadership, including her current role as president of HERS, a professional development organization for women and gender-diverse leadership in higher education.

Rust College Launches New Workforce Training Program in Cybersecurity

“As the job market continues to grow rapidly in [cybersecurity], we want to ensure our students at Rust College, and all Mississippians, are equipped to contribute their talents and take advantage of good-paying jobs,” said Johnny M. Moore, President of Rust College

Five New Administrators at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The new administrators are Dawn Nail at North Carolina A&T State University, Darryl Scriven at Florida A&M University, Letitia Williams at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Marci Middleton at Denmark Technical College in South Carolina, and Chandra Dorsey-Felton at Florida Memorial University.

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.

“Dixie State University” Merchandise Reappears in the Utah Tech University Bookstore

“We are not running from the term [Dixie],” Utah Tech University President Shane Smeed told The Salt Lake Tribune. “We are embracing Utah Tech University and inviting members of the community from the past, present and future to unify. It’s important to me that we build unity with our community.”

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.

When March Madness Benched Jim Crow: Texas Western College and the Transformation of Collegiate Sports

After Texas Western College, with an all-Black starting lineup, beat the all-White University of Kentucky team for the men's national basketball championship in 1966, the handwriting on the wall was legible: to succeed in college athletics the benching of Jim Crow was required.

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Promotes Three Administrators to New Roles

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania has promoted Harry Stinson III, Mel Fenner, and Josh Dean to new roles in institutional advancement, digital innovation, and athletics, respectively.

In Memoriam: James T. Johnson, Jr., 1949-2026

Dr. Johnson taught music theory at several institutions through the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area. He was known for founding the Afro American Music Institute, a community program that provides music instruction to students of all ages.

New Report Outlines Blueprint for Sustaining HBCU Presidential Leadership

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund's Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center recently published a new report discussing the skills and structural conditions necessary to retain successful HBCU presidents, who currently average less than five years in office.

Chantae Recasner Is the Sole Finalist for the Presidency of Olympic College in Washington

Dr. Recasner has over two decades of experience as a tenured faculty member and senior administration in higher education. She has been serving as the interim president of Seattle Central University.

The Black Immigrant Population in the United States Is on the Rise

Over the twenty-first century, the number of Black immigrants in the United States has more than doubled. Over a third of Black immigrants have at least a bachelor's degree, with 16 percent holding a master's degree or higher.

Legislation Calls for the Transformation of Kentucky State University

If passed, new state legislation would declare a “state of financial exigency” at Kentucky State University and position the HBCU as a polytechnic-focused institution. This means the HBCU would need to cut several academic programs, resulting in faculty and staff layoffs.

How Research on Gender and Behavior Changes When Studies Include Racially Diverse Participants

Contrary to the widespread belief that men are more competitive than women overall, a new study from scholars at New York University Abu Dhabi has found this generalization does not extend to the Black population. Their research revealed that Black women are just as competitive and risk tolerant as Black men.

Middle Tennessee State University President Sidney McPhee Announces His Retirement

Dr. McPhee has served as president of Middle Tennessee State University for over 25 years, overseeing some $2 billion in infrastructure improvements and the addition of nearly 50 academic programs. He is slated to step down from his role in December.

Five HBCUs to Participate in New Initiative to Advance Workforce Outcomes for Students

Bowie State University, Claflin University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Virginia State University are participating in a new initiative from the Lumina Foundation to enhance student workforce outcomes and strengthen the value of the HBCUs' bachelor's degree programs.

All Recent Posts

Kymberly Pinder Reappointed Dean of the Yale School of Art

Dr. Pinder was named dean of the Yale School of Art in 2021, making her the first Black woman to serve as a dean at the Ivy League university. She has been reappointed to her role for a second five-year term.

Stanford Study Examines How Racialized Masculinity Impacts Black Men’s Mental Health

"While hegemonic masculinity emphasizes emotional stoicism and self-reliance, racialized masculinity intensifies these demands by portraying Black men as inherently resilient and unbreakable," the authors write. "As a result, many participants expressed stigma around help-seeking, viewing emotional vulnerability as incompatible with being a strong Black man."

Tiece M. Ruffin to Lead the School of Education at Fort Lewis College in Colorado

Dr. Ruffin comes to her new role from the University of North Carolina at Asheville, where she taught for the past 16 years. Dr. Ruffin focuses her research on learners with special needs, diverse learners, and pedagogical approaches for the diverse and inclusive classroom.

Study Finds Persistent Racial Disparities in Lung Cancer Treatment

“If you’re developing cures for cancer, but it’s not getting into the hands of everybody who needs it, then you haven’t succeeded,” said lead author Olivia Lynch, postdoctoral research fellow at the Yale School of Medicine.

American Educational Research Association Honors Six Black Americans

The awardees are Vivian Gadsden of the University of Pennsylvania, James L. Moore III of Ohio State University, Nicole Patton Terry of Florida State University, Terrell R. Morton of the University of Illinois at Chicago, Chezare A. Warren of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, and Sean Darling-Hammond of the University of California, Berkeley.

Bipartisan Bill Aims to Streamline Federal Grant Process for HBCUs

“HBCUs are incubators of diverse excellence and have proven their ability time and again to punch above their weight,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Despite not always having every tool at their disposal, they continue to make massive contributions to the research and development community. This bipartisan bill will make securing federal dollars for their research efforts that much easier...”

New Academic Appointments for Four Black Professors

The appointments are Robert Winn at Temple University in Philadelphia, Chanita Hughes-Halbert at the University of Southern California, Caroline M. Kingori at Hampton University in Virginia, and Lawrence Udeigwe at Manhattan University,

Federal Government Used ChatGPT for Decision to Cut Grant at North Carolina Central University

In April 2025, a National Endowment for the Humanities grant awarded to North Carolina Central University was canceled by the Department of Government Efficiency with the assistance of ChatGPT. The chatbot claimed the project, which focused on the history of the HBCU, was related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Gloria Thomas Recognized for Commitment to Advancing Women’s Leadership in Higher Education

Dr. Thomas has over two decades of experience in higher education leadership, including her current role as president of HERS, a professional development organization for women and gender-diverse leadership in higher education.

Rust College Launches New Workforce Training Program in Cybersecurity

“As the job market continues to grow rapidly in [cybersecurity], we want to ensure our students at Rust College, and all Mississippians, are equipped to contribute their talents and take advantage of good-paying jobs,” said Johnny M. Moore, President of Rust College

Five New Administrators at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The new administrators are Dawn Nail at North Carolina A&T State University, Darryl Scriven at Florida A&M University, Letitia Williams at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Marci Middleton at Denmark Technical College in South Carolina, and Chandra Dorsey-Felton at Florida Memorial University.

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.

“Dixie State University” Merchandise Reappears in the Utah Tech University Bookstore

“We are not running from the term [Dixie],” Utah Tech University President Shane Smeed told The Salt Lake Tribune. “We are embracing Utah Tech University and inviting members of the community from the past, present and future to unify. It’s important to me that we build unity with our community.”

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.

When March Madness Benched Jim Crow: Texas Western College and the Transformation of Collegiate Sports

After Texas Western College, with an all-Black starting lineup, beat the all-White University of Kentucky team for the men's national basketball championship in 1966, the handwriting on the wall was legible: to succeed in college athletics the benching of Jim Crow was required.

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania Promotes Three Administrators to New Roles

Lincoln University of Pennsylvania has promoted Harry Stinson III, Mel Fenner, and Josh Dean to new roles in institutional advancement, digital innovation, and athletics, respectively.

In Memoriam: James T. Johnson, Jr., 1949-2026

Dr. Johnson taught music theory at several institutions through the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, area. He was known for founding the Afro American Music Institute, a community program that provides music instruction to students of all ages.

New Report Outlines Blueprint for Sustaining HBCU Presidential Leadership

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund's Dr. N. Joyce Payne Research Center recently published a new report discussing the skills and structural conditions necessary to retain successful HBCU presidents, who currently average less than five years in office.

Chantae Recasner Is the Sole Finalist for the Presidency of Olympic College in Washington

Dr. Recasner has over two decades of experience as a tenured faculty member and senior administration in higher education. She has been serving as the interim president of Seattle Central University.