Milestones

Sherry Turner Appointed as the First Black President of Hartford International University in Connecticut

“I treasure this opportunity to provide leadership to solidify HIU’s position as the nation’s leading resource for inter-religious education, research, and peace studies,” said Dr. Turner. “I look forward to collaborating with our trustees, administrators, faculty, staff, and students to create a shared vision and roadmap for doing so.”

The New Congress is the Most Racially and Ethnically Diverse in U.S. History

More than a quarter of the 119th U.S. Congress is non-White. There are currently 66 Black voting members across the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate, an increase from the 60 Black Americans who served in the 118th Congress.

Xavier University of Louisiana Is the First HBCU to Offer a Varsity-Level Rowing Team

"Launching this team of athletes onto the competitive national stage is not just about rowing — it's about building a community, inspiring our students, and creating opportunities for growth both on and off the water," said the program's founders.

American Born and Educated Scholar Is the First Black Woman Professor at University in the U.K.

A psychology faculty member with City St. George's, University of London for over a decade, Jessica Jones Nielsen has been named the institution's first-ever Black woman full professor. She has served as the university's assistant vice president for equality, diversity, and inclusion since 2021.

Kimo Ah Yun Named First Black President of Marquette University

“My top priority is ensuring we continue to provide a transformational education for our students so that our graduates are problem-solvers and agents of change,” said Dr. Ah Yun, the first Black president of Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Forbes Magazine Names Howard University the Top HBCU in the Country

This year, Forbes magazine listed Howard University as the top HBCU and 273rd best higher education institution in the United States. Spelman College, Morehouse College, Florida A&M University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Hampton University were also listed among the country's top 500 colleges and universities.

Howard University Receives Record-Breaking 36,000 Applicants for Class of 2028

The class of 2028 applicant pool at Howard University increased by 4,000 applications compared to last year's class of 2027. This year, the university's acceptance rate was roughly 31 percent, down five percentage points from last year.

The First Black Deaf Woman to Earn a Ph.D. in Biochemistry

A native of Sierra Leone in Africa, Dr. Sankoh became deaf at the age of three. She was sent to live with a family friend in the United States at the age of 12. She struggled in school until she was able to master American sign language. She recently earned s Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Tennessee.

Michele Carter Will Be the First African American Chancellor of Central Texas College in Killeen

Dr. Carter began her career at Central Texas College 32 years ago as a receptionist. Most recently, she has served as deputy chancellor of finance and administration. When she takes office on July 1, she will be the first woman and the first African American to lead the college.

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.

Steven Walker Will Be the New Leader of Bakersfield College in California

Watkin was hired by Bakersfield College nine years ago to build an outreach program in partnership with local area high schools. Most recently, he has served as associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at the Kern Community College District. In addition, Watkin has been pastor of the Church of God in Christ in Arvin, California, for the past 11 years.

Steven Watkin Will Be the New Leader of Bakersfield College in California

Watkin was hired by Bakersfield College nine years ago to build an outreach program in partnership with local area high schools. Most recently, he has served as associate vice chancellor of enrollment management at the Kern Community College District. In addition, Watkin has been pastor of the Church of God in Christ in Arvin, California, for the past 11 years.

The First Black Woman in Vanderbilt University’s Neurosurgery Residency Program

According to the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons, there are currently only 33 Black women who are in the field of neurosurgery in the United States. Tamia Potter, who completed her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University, will be the first Black women neurosurgery resident at Vanderbilt in the program's 91-year history.

The First Black Woman in Vanderbilt University’s Neurosurgery Residency Program

According to the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons, there are currently only 33 Black women who are in the field of neurosurgery in the United States. Tamia Potter, who completed her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University, will be the first Black women neurosurgery resident at Vanderbilt in the program's 91-year history.

The First African American to Deliver the Bampton Lectures at the University of Oxford

Willie James Jennings an associate professor of systematic theology at Yale Divinity School, has been selected to deliver the Bampton Lectures for 2023 at the University of Oxford in England. He is the first African American selected to give these lectures in the 243-year history of the program.

Kara Freeman to Lead the National Association of College and University Business Officers

When she takes office on June 1, Freeman will be the first African American woman to lead the organization. Freeman has been serving as the senior vice president and chief operating officer at the American Council of Education. She has worked there since 2006.

Garry W. Jenkins Will Be the First Black President of Bates College in Lewiston, Maine

Since 2016, Jenkins has been dean and the William S. Pattee Professor of Law at the University of Minnesota Law School. Prior to joining the Minnesota Law School Jenkins was a professor of law at the Ohio State University Moritz College of Law for 12 years, including eight years as associate dean for academic affairs.

Claudine Gay Appointed the Thirtieth President of Harvard University

When she takes office on July 1, Claudine Gay will be the first African American to lead the university since its founding nearly 400 years ago. Since 2018, Dr. Gay has served as the Edgerley Family Dean of Harvard’s Faculty of Arts and Sciences. She first joined the Harvard faculty in 2006.

Howard University Posts a Record Year in Grants and Contracts for Research

In 2018, historically Black Howard University in Washington, D.C. announced a goal of raising $100 million in grants and contracts for research by 2024. Today, Howard surpassed that goal two years early by raising $122 million in its 2022 fiscal year. This is a record sum for any historically Black college or university.

Keshia Elder Will Be the First Black Woman to Lead a School of Optometry in the United States

Keshia Elder has been named dean of the College of Optometry at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. She has been serving as director of diversity, equity, and inclusion and director of externships at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry.
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Darris Means to Lead the National Rural Education Association

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Beginning in the role of president-elect designate, Dr. Means will serve as key leader of the National Rural Education Association for a five-year term. His career has been dedicated to advancing education for underrepresented students, particularly in STEM.

Two African Americans Taking on Key Leadership Roles at the American Educational Research Association

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Jerome Morris has been named president-elect of the AERA Council and Tabbye Chavous has been appointed as the association's executive director.

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