HBCUs

Historically Black Knoxville College in Tennessee has been unaccredited for almost three decades. As it seeks to achieve financial stability, the HBCU has selected Dasha Lundy, former chief operating officer, as its interim president.

Through B-CU Global, students can complete an accredited bachelor's degree or master's degree through flexible online pathways, which provide self-paced learning options, credit for professional experience, and affordable payment plans.

“At Morgan, we are steadfast in our commitment to conducting research that not only advances science but also transforms communities,” said President David K. Wilson. “These new NSF investments in Morgan ingenuity, resourcefulness, and inventiveness underscore our ascendency as a leading urban research university — one that produces solutions to society’s greatest challenges while preparing the next generation of innovators.”

Through this new partnership, eligible Charles R. Drew University students are guaranteed admission into the medical degree program at American University of Antigua College of Medicine.

Marcus Burgess is senior vice president of enterprise partnerships and innovation at Florida A&M University, Rickey Oglesby is interim band director at Tuskegee University, and Tia Wright-Richards is vice president for institutional advancement at Talladega College.

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.

From fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2022, federal research funding to HBCUs increased from 0.9 percent to 1.5 percent of the total federal research funding granted to colleges and universities. Funding increased the most from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the National Science Foundation.

MacKenzie Scott has donated $70 million to the United Negro College Fund. The organization will leverage the gift to bolster the endowments at its 37 member institutions.

Ofosuwa M. Abiola is dean of the Graduate School at Bowie State University in Maryland and Vonda M. Easterling is dean of students at Fort Valley State University in Georgia.

Beginning in the fall 2026 semester, South Carolina State University will offer three new degree programs through the College of Agriculture, Family, and Consumer Science: a bachelor's degree in animal and veterinary science, a bachelor's degree in natural resource management, and a master's degree in agricultural and natural resource management.

“This is a great opportunity for Prairie View to help establish a model of support for college students nationwide who have been diagnosed with sickle cell disease,” said Tondra L. Moore, executive director of health services at PVAMU. “We're not just responding to a health condition, we are setting a standard of care and advocacy that matches the resilience of our students.”

As part of a new agreement, the two Durham, North Carolina-based institutions have aligned the courses taken for an associate's degree in applied sciences at Durham Tech with those required for various life sciences bachelor's degree programs at North Carolina Central University, creating a streamlined, affordable pathway to an undergraduate STEM degree for Durham Tech students.

Jonathan Sandville was named chief development officer at the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Paula Jackson was apoointed interim athletics director at Texas Southern University, and Kendrick Dunklin was named vice president of enrollment management at Edward Waters University in Florida.

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.

“We do not tolerate hate and will fiercely defend the welfare and dignity of our community,” said Meharry Medical College President James Hildreth. “This abhorrent act will not shake who we are — and have been — for almost 150 years.”

The Trump Administration is redirecting some $350 million initially allocated for Minority-Serving Institutions to be included in a $500 million, one-time investment in historically Black colleges and universities and tribal colleges. HBCUs are slated to receive $435 million of these funds.

“I am honored to join Denmark Technical College at such a pivotal moment in its history,” said Dr. Brown. “This institution has a proud legacy of engaging, educating and empowering students, and I look forward to building on that foundation with a transformative vision that will expand opportunities and strengthen the student experience.”

For the nineteenth consecutive year, U.S. News and World Report has named Spelman College in Atlanta the best HBCU in the country. Howard University was second, Morehouse College was third, Tuskegee University was fourth, and Florida A&M University was fifth. These five institutions have topped the magazine's annual list for three years in a row.

Achieving this milestone means Morgan State's bachelor's degree in elementary education meets the International Dyslexia Association's standards for effectively preparing teachers to support structured literacy, prevent reading failure, and provide effective interventions for students with dyslexia and other reading-related challenges.

In October, the Valiant Cross Academy Elementary School will open at the Alabama State University Zelia Stephens Early Childhood Center. Leaders from the all-boys private school and the HBCU also plan to develop pathways for VCA high school students to attend ASU after graduation.