Monthly Archives: May, 2023

Wesleyan University Creates a New Scholarship Program for African Students

Applications to the program must be citizens or permanent residents of one of Africa’s 54 countries. Individuals with dual U.S. citizenship or who are permanent U.S. residents are not eligible for the program. Only students applying for need-based financial aid and who have demonstrated need will be considered.

Racial Slurs Written on the Home of the President of the University of California

Michael V. Drake was named the 21st president of the University of California in 2020. He is the only African American president in the 155-year history of the university system.

Higher Education Grants or Gifts 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.

The University of Connecticut to Establish a Social Justice Course Requirement

The University Senate at the University of Connecticut has voted to create a social justice requirement in the university's curriculum. The new social justice requirement focuses on the one-credit “Anti-Black Racism” course that has been offered as an elective since the 3021=-22 academic year. The new requirement will be in effect beginning in the 2024-25 academic year.

President of Central State University to Step Down on June 30

Dr. Thomas became president of Central State University in July 2020. After taking a sabbatical, he will return to the university as a tenured professor. From 2011 to 2019, Dr. Thomas was president of Western Illinois University.

Racial Inequality and the Staggering Toll on Life Expectancy

A new study led by researchers at Yale University reveals a staggering disparity in life expectancy between Black Americans and their White counterparts. The results show that there were 1.63 million excess deaths in the Black population compared with White Americans in the 1999-2020 period, representing more than 80 million excess years of potential life lost.

Robert M. Dixon Is the New Leader of Rust College in Holly Springs, Mississippi

Dr. Dixon has worked as a faculty member and administrator at six HBCUs over the past half-century as a provost, vice president, dean, department chair, and professor. He is a physicist and may have trained more African American physics undergraduates than anyone else in the country.

Rodney Bennett Selected to Serve as the Next Chancellor of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

As required by state law, Dr. Bennett’s candidacy now undergoes a 30-day vetting period which will include a series of public sessions during which members of the university community and the news media can meet him and ask questions. After 30 days, the board of regents can vote on Dr. Bennett's appointment. If approved, he will be the first African American to lead the university.

New Report Examines Racial Differences in Early Signs of Dementia

An estimated 6.5 million persons aged 65 years and over in the United States live with Alzheimer's disease, the most common dementia. This number is projected to double by 2060, with African Americans projected to have among the largest increases. College education was associated with a lower prevalence of subjective cognitive decline among all racial and ethnic groups.

Glenell M. Lee-Pruitt Will Be the Thirteenth President of Jarvis Christian University in Texas

Since August 2012, Dr. Lee-Pruiit has served as provost and vice president for academic affairs at the university. Previously, she served at Mississippi Valley State University as dean of University College and was a tenured professor in the department of social work.

Land Conservation Measures May Be Widening the Racial Wealth Gap

A new study by researchers at the University of Rhode Island and the University of Illinois finds that protecting open space from development increases the value of surrounding homes. But a disproportionate amount of that newly generated wealth goes to high-income White households.

A Trio of Black Scholars Who Have Been Appointed to Dean Positions at State Universities

Antwon Woods will be the next dean of the School of Business at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. Abimbola O. Asojo will be the second dean of the School of Architecture and Planning at Morgan State University in Baltimore and Teresa Mastin will serve as interim dean of the College of Communication Arts and Science at Michigan State University.

Cato T. Laurencin Honored for Diversity Efforts by the Society for Biomaterials

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award recognizes Dr. Laurencin of the University of Connecticut for promoting anti-racism and creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for historically excluded groups in the STEM disciplines, especially in the field of biomaterials. He is the inaugural winner of the award.

Dillard University to Offer its First Master’s Degree Program This Fall

The new nursing program will be the first master’s degree in Dillard University’s 153-year history. The master's degree program is a 12-course, 36-39 credit hour hybrid degree program designed to be completed in four consecutive semesters for full-time students and six semesters for part-time students.

Talladega College Partners With Grand Valley State University in Michigan

Under the agreement, students who graduate from Talladega College with a degree in education will have a pathway to earn master’s degrees in education, school counseling, instructional technology, and instruction and curriculum at Grand Valley State University.

Four African Americans Who Have Been Appointed to Administrative Posts in Higher Education

Take on new administrative duties are Darrius Douglas at the College of DuPage in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, Shelly Perdomo-Ahmed at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Sharon Stroye at Emory University in Atlanta, and Lloyd Nivens IV at Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina.

Teenager Is the Youngest Graduate in the History of Langston University in Oklahoma

In 2022, 14-year-old Shania Muhammad earned associate's degrees from Langston University in Oklahoma and Oklahoma City Community College. This year, the teenager became the youngest person to earn a bachelor's degree at Langston University.

Michael Ward Honored for Lifetime Achievement in Radiology and Nursing Education

Michael Ward recently retired from the Goldfarb School of Nursing on the campus of Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, which is affiliated with Washington University. He served as vice dean for student affairs and diversity and professor at the nursing school.

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