The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Howard University College of Medicine Placed on Accreditation Probation

“This moment calls not for alarm, but for alignment,” said Andrea A. Hayes-Dixon, dean of the College of Medicine and senior vice president of health affairs at Howard. “The Howard University College of Medicine has shaped the face of American medicine for 158 years — and we will continue to do so.”

Kennesaw State’s Marrielle Myers Elected President of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators

“As we work to improve mathematics teacher education, we must have open hands and open hearts to the diverse needs of students, teachers, schools, communities, and other partners. I hope to do this work in a way that centers humanity, community, and flexibility,” said Dr. Myers.

Cato T. Laurencin Named Top Orthopaedic Surgery Scholar in the United States

ScholarGPS has ranked Dr. Laurencin as the top scholar of orthopaedic surgery in the United States and the eighth best in the world. He currently teaches as an endowed professor at the University of Connecticut and CEO of the university's Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering.

Petition Calls for the Reinstatement of Six Fired Faculty Members at Virginia State University

In December, six faculty members - all tenured or tenure-track - were informed their research projects at the Virginia State University Agricultural Research Station were being sunset and their employment was ending immediately. Now, the professors, with support from the American Association of University Professors, are calling for their reinstatement.

Research & Studies

HBCU Attendance Linked to Improved Cognitive Health for Older Black Adults

At age 62, Black adults who had gone to an HBCU had better memory and cognitive function than their counterparts who attended a predominately White institution.

Report Finds Major Income-Disparities in How Universities Distribute Institutional Financial Aid

A new report from Stephen Burd of New America has identified 23 private and 18 public universities who spend significantly higher shares of their institutional aid on students who do not need it. In 2023, these universities distributed $2.4 billion in non-need-based aid.

Black Fatalities From Workplace Injuries Declined in 2024

In 2024 African Americans made up 12.3 percent of all work-related fatalities due to injury, down from 13.4 percent in 2022. But Black workers made up 25 percent of all worker deaths by homicide or suicide.

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Quote of the Week

“We are committed to providing students a pathway to a better life without burdening them with long-term financial obligations.”

Patricia Sims,
president of Drake State Community and Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama, in testimony before Congress on the importance of federal funding to community colleges, 3-4-26

Statistic of the Week

53%
Percentage of White K-12 students in the United States who say they feel safe at school
40%
Percentage of Black K-12 students in the United States who say they feel safe at school

Source: YouthTruth

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

A Pair of Black Scholars Selected for Endowed Faculty Positions at Historically Black Universities

Ibram X. Kendi is the inaugural Carter G. Woodson Endowed Chair in History at Howard University in Washington, D.C. James Lee III is the Endowed Professor in Composition and Theoretical Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Fisk University and NYU Law Launch New Initiative on Democracy in the American South

Through the new Partnership for Southern Impact, scholars from Fisk University and the New York University School of Law will work together with communities and civic groups throughout the South to make local and state governments more representative.

Northwestern University’s Natasha Trethewey Honored for Her Outstanding Literary Career

Oregon State University has honored Natasha Trethewey of Northwestern State University for her literary achievements. A Pulitzer Prize-winner and former Poet Laureate of the United States, Professor Trethewey is the author of five poetry collections, one monograph, and a memoir.

Alabama A&M University to Participate in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Research

“This award represents both an honor and a responsibility,” said Alabama A&M University Professor Mebougna Drabo. “It reflects confidence in our research capabilities and our commitment to excellence.”

New Leadership Roles for Five Black Administrators in Higher Education

The five appointments are Breana M. Ware at Spelman College, Dianne Pledger at Winston-Salem State University, Kevin White at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Angelique D. Stallings at North Carolina Central University, and LaVada R. Rice at Voorhees University.

In Memoriam: Christine Johnson McPhail, 1946-2026

In 1995, Dr. McPhail was named the first woman and first African American president of Cypress College in California, where she served for three years. Over two decades later, she served as president of historically Black St. Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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.

What Jesse Jackson’s HBCU Experience Taught Him About Self–Love, Service, and Character

Jelani Favors examines the late Jesse Jackson's time at North Carolina A&T State University and how the HBCU cultivated in him the importance of character, civic engagement, and service.

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: Elaine Johnson Coates, 1937-2026

In 1955, Coates enrolled as one of seven Black students in her freshman class at the University of Maryland, College Park. She was the only one to persist to graduation, earning her bachelor's degree in 1959 and becoming the university's first Black woman graduate.

Proposed Federal Legislation Aims to Advance AI Research at HBCUs

“By ensuring HBCUs are full partners in our national AI research network, we are building a more equitable innovation economy and ensuring that the talent and excellence at our HBCUs help lead the future of artificial intelligence,” said U.S. Congresswoman Valerie Foushee of North Carolina.

In Memoriam: Charles Simmons, 1938-2026

In 1972, Dr. Simmons co-founded what would become Sojourner-Douglas College in Baltimore. Named for Black abolitionist leaders Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass, the college was not officially designated as an HBCU, but enrolled a predominately Black student body. It closed its doors in 2016 after losing its accreditation.

HBCU Attendance Linked to Improved Cognitive Health for Older Black Adults

At age 62, Black adults who had gone to an HBCU had better memory and cognitive function than their counterparts who attended a predominately White institution.

Howard University College of Medicine Placed on Accreditation Probation

“This moment calls not for alarm, but for alignment,” said Andrea A. Hayes-Dixon, dean of the College of Medicine and senior vice president of health affairs at Howard. “The Howard University College of Medicine has shaped the face of American medicine for 158 years — and we will continue to do so.”

Report Finds Major Income-Disparities in How Universities Distribute Institutional Financial Aid

A new report from Stephen Burd of New America has identified 23 private and 18 public universities who spend significantly higher shares of their institutional aid on students who do not need it. In 2023, these universities distributed $2.4 billion in non-need-based aid.

Kennesaw State’s Marrielle Myers Elected President of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators

“As we work to improve mathematics teacher education, we must have open hands and open hearts to the diverse needs of students, teachers, schools, communities, and other partners. I hope to do this work in a way that centers humanity, community, and flexibility,” said Dr. Myers.

Black Fatalities From Workplace Injuries Declined in 2024

In 2024 African Americans made up 12.3 percent of all work-related fatalities due to injury, down from 13.4 percent in 2022. But Black workers made up 25 percent of all worker deaths by homicide or suicide.

Cato T. Laurencin Named Top Orthopaedic Surgery Scholar in the United States

ScholarGPS has ranked Dr. Laurencin as the top scholar of orthopaedic surgery in the United States and the eighth best in the world. He currently teaches as an endowed professor at the University of Connecticut and CEO of the university's Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services Announces $1.7 Million in Grant Funding for HBCUs

The Institute of Museum and Library Services recently announced a series of grants to support institutional resilience and research activity at libraries and museums at historically Black colleges and universities. In total, eight HBCUs and one HBCU alliance received a combined $1,725,261 in funding.

Vanderbilt’s Velma McBride Murry Honored by the American Psychological Association

In her research, Dr. Murry investigates how social stressors shape the everyday life experiences, development, and well-being of African American youth and their families, especially in rural and under-resourced communities.

Tuskegee University Establishes New Partnership With the Los Angeles Unified School District

Through this partnership, LAUSD high school students can earn coursework credit at Tuskegee while completing their high school diplomas. Additionally, students from Tuskegee's College of Education will gain access to real-world classroom experience in LAUSD schools.

New Leadership Positions for Three Black Administrators in Higher Education

The administrators who have been selected for new leadership roles are Yurandol Thompson at the University of Phoenix, Allen Vital at Albany State University in Georgia, and Sheila Thimba at Kingsborough Community College in New York.

Fort Valley State University and Bridgestone to Collaborate on Sustainable Rubber Plant Research

Under a new memorandum of understanding, faculty and student researchers at Fort Valley State University will partner with Bridgestone scientists to study alternative rubber-producing plants, evaluating their adaptability to Georgia's climate and exploring cultivation methods that support long-term environmental and economic sustainability.

Ohio State’s James L. Moore III Recognized for Outstanding Contributions to STEM Education

An Ohio State faculty member for over two decades, Dr. Moore is currently on loan to the U.S. National Science Foundation, serving as the assistant director for its Directorate of STEM Education. He was recently honored by the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's STEM Education Consortium for his remarkable contributions to STEM education.

All Recent Posts

A Pair of Black Scholars Selected for Endowed Faculty Positions at Historically Black Universities

Ibram X. Kendi is the inaugural Carter G. Woodson Endowed Chair in History at Howard University in Washington, D.C. James Lee III is the Endowed Professor in Composition and Theoretical Studies at Morgan State University in Baltimore.

Fisk University and NYU Law Launch New Initiative on Democracy in the American South

Through the new Partnership for Southern Impact, scholars from Fisk University and the New York University School of Law will work together with communities and civic groups throughout the South to make local and state governments more representative.

Northwestern University’s Natasha Trethewey Honored for Her Outstanding Literary Career

Oregon State University has honored Natasha Trethewey of Northwestern State University for her literary achievements. A Pulitzer Prize-winner and former Poet Laureate of the United States, Professor Trethewey is the author of five poetry collections, one monograph, and a memoir.

Alabama A&M University to Participate in Nuclear Fuel Recycling Research

“This award represents both an honor and a responsibility,” said Alabama A&M University Professor Mebougna Drabo. “It reflects confidence in our research capabilities and our commitment to excellence.”

New Leadership Roles for Five Black Administrators in Higher Education

The five appointments are Breana M. Ware at Spelman College, Dianne Pledger at Winston-Salem State University, Kevin White at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Angelique D. Stallings at North Carolina Central University, and LaVada R. Rice at Voorhees University.

In Memoriam: Christine Johnson McPhail, 1946-2026

In 1995, Dr. McPhail was named the first woman and first African American president of Cypress College in California, where she served for three years. Over two decades later, she served as president of historically Black St. Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina.

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.

What Jesse Jackson’s HBCU Experience Taught Him About Self–Love, Service, and Character

Jelani Favors examines the late Jesse Jackson's time at North Carolina A&T State University and how the HBCU cultivated in him the importance of character, civic engagement, and service.

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: Elaine Johnson Coates, 1937-2026

In 1955, Coates enrolled as one of seven Black students in her freshman class at the University of Maryland, College Park. She was the only one to persist to graduation, earning her bachelor's degree in 1959 and becoming the university's first Black woman graduate.

Proposed Federal Legislation Aims to Advance AI Research at HBCUs

“By ensuring HBCUs are full partners in our national AI research network, we are building a more equitable innovation economy and ensuring that the talent and excellence at our HBCUs help lead the future of artificial intelligence,” said U.S. Congresswoman Valerie Foushee of North Carolina.

In Memoriam: Charles Simmons, 1938-2026

In 1972, Dr. Simmons co-founded what would become Sojourner-Douglas College in Baltimore. Named for Black abolitionist leaders Sojourner Truth and Frederick Douglass, the college was not officially designated as an HBCU, but enrolled a predominately Black student body. It closed its doors in 2016 after losing its accreditation.

HBCU Attendance Linked to Improved Cognitive Health for Older Black Adults

At age 62, Black adults who had gone to an HBCU had better memory and cognitive function than their counterparts who attended a predominately White institution.

Howard University College of Medicine Placed on Accreditation Probation

“This moment calls not for alarm, but for alignment,” said Andrea A. Hayes-Dixon, dean of the College of Medicine and senior vice president of health affairs at Howard. “The Howard University College of Medicine has shaped the face of American medicine for 158 years — and we will continue to do so.”

Report Finds Major Income-Disparities in How Universities Distribute Institutional Financial Aid

A new report from Stephen Burd of New America has identified 23 private and 18 public universities who spend significantly higher shares of their institutional aid on students who do not need it. In 2023, these universities distributed $2.4 billion in non-need-based aid.

Kennesaw State’s Marrielle Myers Elected President of the Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators

“As we work to improve mathematics teacher education, we must have open hands and open hearts to the diverse needs of students, teachers, schools, communities, and other partners. I hope to do this work in a way that centers humanity, community, and flexibility,” said Dr. Myers.

Black Fatalities From Workplace Injuries Declined in 2024

In 2024 African Americans made up 12.3 percent of all work-related fatalities due to injury, down from 13.4 percent in 2022. But Black workers made up 25 percent of all worker deaths by homicide or suicide.

Cato T. Laurencin Named Top Orthopaedic Surgery Scholar in the United States

ScholarGPS has ranked Dr. Laurencin as the top scholar of orthopaedic surgery in the United States and the eighth best in the world. He currently teaches as an endowed professor at the University of Connecticut and CEO of the university's Cato T. Laurencin Institute for Regenerative Engineering.

The Institute of Museum and Library Services Announces $1.7 Million in Grant Funding for HBCUs

The Institute of Museum and Library Services recently announced a series of grants to support institutional resilience and research activity at libraries and museums at historically Black colleges and universities. In total, eight HBCUs and one HBCU alliance received a combined $1,725,261 in funding.