Alcorn State University in Mississippi Graduates Its First Class of Doctoral Students
Six family nurse practitioners recently became the inaugural Doctor of Nursing Practice class at the Cora S. Balmat School of Nursing at Alcorn State University in Mississippi. All six of the graduates had earlier received a master’s degree in nursing from the university.
The Higher Education of the Next Lieutenant Governor of Virginia
On Tuesday, November 2, voters in the Commonwealth of Virginia elected Winsome Sears to the position of lieutenant governor. She will be the first woman and the first African American to hold the office in the 400-year history of the Commonwealth.
The First African American President of Howard Community College in Columbia, Maryland
Dr. Daria Willis currently serves as president of Everett Community College in Washington. Earlier, Dr. Willis was the provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at Onondaga Community College of the State University of New York and dean of academic studies at Lee College in Baytown, Texas.
African American Scholar is the First Faculty Hire for the Columbia Climate School
Kristina G. Douglass was the Joyce and Doug Sherwin Early Career Professor in the Rock Ethics Institute and assistant professor of anthropology and African studies at Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Douglass' research focuses on investigating human-environment interaction in Madagascar.
Keshia Elder Will Be the First Black Woman to Lead a School of Optometry...
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.
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.
Garry W. Jenkins Will Be the First Black President of Bates College in Lewiston,...
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.
The Higher Education of Delaware’s First Black Supreme Court Justice
African Americans make up 21 percent of the population in the state of Delaware. Yet until now, the state has never had an African Americans on its highest court. Tamika Montgomery-Reeves recently began her tenure as a justice on the the Delaware Supreme Court.
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.
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.
Michele Carter Will Be the First African American Chancellor of Central Texas College in...
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.
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.
Terrell Lamont Strayhorn: The Youngest Full Professor at Ohio State University
Dr. Strayhorn was promoted to full professor in the department of educational studies in the College of Education and Human Ecology at Ohio State University. The appointment makes him the youngest full professor at the university.
Historically Black Central State University in Ohio Names a New President
Cynthia Jackson-Hammond is the former provost and vice president of academic affairs at Coppin State University in Baltimore.
Arizona State University Honors Its First Black Football Player
In 1937 Emerson Harvey was the first Black player at ASU. His presence on the football team at the university served to play a major role in the racial integration of college sports in the southwest.
The Higher Education of the Only Black U.S. Senator
He is the first Black senator from a southern state since Reconstruction and he is the only African American currently serving in the U.S. Senate.
A Military Milestone for a Claflin University Trustee
Calvin H. Elam, a member of the board of trustees of Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina, has become the first African American general in the South Carolina Air National Guard.
Heidi Anderson Named Provost at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
When Dr. Anderson takes office in July, the university's two highest officials, president and provost, both will be African American women. Helen F. Giles-Gee became the university's president a year ago. Only 6 percent of the undergraduate student body at the university is Black.
Majority-Female Crew Refs Black College Football Game
For the first time in history, on October 24 a majority-female officiating crew took the field for an intercollegiate football game between Lane College and Miles College, two historically Black colleges.
The Higher Education of Mississippi’s First Black Female Federal Judge
Debra M. Brown, a graduate of the School of Architecture at Mississippi State University and the law school at the University of Mississippi, is the only attorney in the state that has a degree in architecture.
Black Student Among the First Five Doctoral Degree Recipients at Georgia College & State...
Chioma Okereke is one of the five women in the first cohort of graduates of the university's doctor of nuring practice degree program. She has been hired to a nursing faculty position at Kennesaw State University in Georgia.
Michael Drake Appointed President of Ohio State University
When he takes office in June, Dr. Drake will be the first African American to be president of Ohio State. Currently, Dr. Drake is chancellor of the University of California, Irvine.
The First African-American President of Kansas City, Kansas Community College
This week Doris F. Givens began her new duties as the fifth president of the Kansas City, Kansas Community College. She is the first woman and the first African American to lead the college.
Alcorn State University Alumna Becomes the First Black Woman Orthodontist in Mississippi
Chandra Minor recently opened Smile Design Orthodontics with offices in three cities. The Alcorn State University graduate is the first African American woman to practice orthodontics in the state of Mississippi.
Black Identical Twins Each Had the Highest GPA at FIU’s College of Engineering and...
Shalisha and Shonda Witherspoon are identical twins. They recently graduated from the College of Engineering and Computing at Florida International University in Miami with identical 3.95 grade point averages, the best in the college.
Hampton University Professor Competed for Miss USA Title, Another HBCU Alumna Wins It
Desiree Williams, an assistant professor of physical therapy at Hampton University finished in the top 10 at the Miss USA pageant. The winner is an Army commander and an alumna of historically Black Virginia State University.
A Black Woman’s Half-Century Journey to a Bachelor’s Degree
Delores Ojunga-Andrew is a Black woman who is a member of the Class of 2018 at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. At age 72, she is the oldest student enrolled at the women's college.
Clemson University’s First African American Dean Has Retired
Frankie O. Felder, senior associate dean at the Clemson University’s graduate school, retired on August 15. Dr. Felder had served as a dean at the graduate school since 1987. She was the first African American dean at Clemson.
Winston-Salem State Graduate Is the First to Take Advantage of a Guaranteed Admission Program
Alexis McCrea, who graduated from Winston-Salem State University last spring, is the first student to take advantage of the university's Early Assurance Program that guarantees admission for university graduates to the doctor of physical therapy program if they have met specific requirements.
11-Year-Old Child Prodigy Receives Full Tuition Scholarship to Southern University
Since the age of 8, Elijah Precciely has taken classes at the university. Due to his previously college credits, he will start at Southern University as a sophomore. He has authored a book, hosts a radio show, and has submitted five U.S. patents.
The First African American Woman Dean at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio
Alyncia Bowen was appointed dean of doctoral studies and the School of Nursing at Franklin University in Columbus, Ohio. Dr. Bowen joined Franklin University 14 years ago. She has served as department chair, director of doctoral studies and director of the Global Center for Healthcare Education.
