Spelman College President Helene Gayle Officially Steps Down After Personal Leave of Absence
Spelman College President Helene Gayle has officially resigned after taking a personal leave of absence in October. Interim President Roz Brewer will continue to serve in her role while the women's college searches for its next leader.
Ebonee Dendy Appointed Dean of Students at the University of North Georgia-Oconee
Dendy, a first-generation college graduate, has focused her career on supporting student conduct issues and fostering safe campus environments in higher education.
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign Chancellor Robert Jones Announces His Resignation
Nine years ago, Dr. Jones was named the first African American chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He will retire at the end of the current academic year, following a decade of enrollment growth, academic improvements, and successful fundraising.
Debra Haggins Appointed Inaugural Dean of the Hampton University School of Religion
Dr. Haggins is the first woman to serve as university chaplain at Hampton University. She will now serve as the inaugural dean of the recently established School of Religion.
Two Black Scholars Receive the Barry Prize for Distinguished Intellectual Achievement
This prestigious annual prize honors those whose work has made outstanding contributions to humanity’s knowledge, appreciation, and cultivation of the good, the true, and the beautiful. It is presented by the American Academy of Sciences and Letters.
Swarthmore College President Valerie Smith Receives Contract Extension
Valerie Smith was named president of Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania in 2015. She will continue in her role through at least June 2027.
Jerry Wallace Appointed President of Potomac State College in West Virginia
Dr. Jerry Wallace comes to his new role from Danville Community College in Virginia, where he has served as president since 2022. Earlier in his career, he was president of the Hastings campus at Nebraska Central Community College.
James-Christian Blockwood Named President of the National Academy of Public Administration
Blockwood currently teaches in Syracuse University's Washington, D.C. program. He has vast experience in public service, previously holding leadership roles with the departments of Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and Defense, as well as the Government Accountability Office.
Leslie Rodriguez-McClellon Named Seventeenth President of Arkansas Baptist College
Prior to her new role, Dr. Rodriguez-McClellon was the vice president of community relations and governmental affairs at Saint Augustine's University in Raleigh. She has a robust background in higher education, including service as the first African American president of Rochester Community and Technical College in Minnesota.
Huge Enrollment Decline at Historically Black Tennessee State University
At historically Black Tennessee State University, overall enrollments are down by 23 percent. Most strikingly, enrollments of students in first-year programs are down by more than 50 percent.
Historically Black Central State University in Ohio Placed on Fiscal Watch Amidst Financial Challenges
The Ohio Department of Higher Education has placed historically Black Central State University on fiscal watch. The department, the Auditor of State's office, and the Central State board of trustees will work with university officials to develop a financial recovery plan.
Lester Agyei McCorn Named President of Paine College in Georgia
"I am honored to accept the presidency of Paine College," said Dr. McCorn. "My acceptance originates from a place of deep respect and admiration for the legacy and significance of this historic institution. Connecting Paine College's historic past with a strategic vision for the future will catapult this institution into unparalleled prominence in American higher education."
Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy Named President of the American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education
“I’m honored to take on this new role at AACTE, an organization with such a rich tradition of leadership, advocacy, and innovation,” Dr. Holcomb-McCoy said. She will assume her new role in January after eight years as dean of School of Education at American University.
National Student Clearinghouse Research Center Releases Fall 2024 Enrollment Report
According to the report, Black undergraduate enrollment increased by 6.2 percent over the past two years. In comparison, total undergraduate enrollment increased by 5.2 percent and White undergraduate enrollment decreased by 2.8 percent over the same time period.
Spelman College President Helene Gayle Announces Personal Leave of Absence
Effective immediately, Spelman College President Helene Gayle is on a personal leave of absence. The college did not specify the reason for her leave, nor her expected return date. Roz Brewer, former chair of Spelman's board of trustees, has been named interim president.
James Frazier Appointed President of the International Council for Arts Deans
James Frazier has decades of experience in higher education and professional dance performance. He currently serves as a full professor of dance and dean of the College of Fine Arts at Florida State University.
Sherita Johnson Appointed Director of the Africana Research Center at Pennsylvania State University
Sherita Johnson is a scholar of nineteenth-century African American literature and print culture. She has conducted extensive archival research on the experiences of Black writers, activists, and public intellectuals.
More High-Ranking Colleges and Universities Report Declines in Entering Black Students
In the aftermath of the June 29, 2023 United States Supreme Court decision banning the consideration of race in college admissions decisions, more high-ranking colleges and universities have reported a drop in Black enrollments for their entering classes this fall.
Kyle Williams Appointed Dean of Intercultural Engagement at Oberlin College in Ohio
Dr. Williams comes to Oberlin College and Conservatory from Emory University in Atlanta, where he served as dean of campus life. His career in student affairs has been dedicated to advocating for diversity, equity, and inclusion in college communities.
Kimberlé Crenshaw Honored With Harvard’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal
Presented by Harvard University, the W.E.B. Du Bois Medal is considered the university's highest honor in the field of African and African American studies.
Many HBCUs See a Surge In Enrollments
Many of the nation's historically Black colleges and universities had a record number of applicants this past admissions cycle. And many HBCUs have reported a significant increase in enrollments this fall.
Leapetswe Malete Named President-Elect of the National Sport and Physical Activity Organization
The North American Society for the Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity has appointed Leapetswe Malete to the post of president-elect. The Michigan State associate professor will serve as president-elect for one year, followed by one year as president.
Joe Russell Appointed Dean of Students at Middlebury College in Vermont
Joe Russell is the new dean of students at Middlebury College. He previously spent nearly two decades at the University of Vermont, most recently serving as assistant dean of students.
JacQuene Rainey Appointed President of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology Jackson
Dr. Rainey has held both academic and administrative roles within the Tennessee College of Applied Technology system for the past 15 years. She assumed the presidency of the system's Jackson campus on October 1.
U.S. News and World Report Names Spelman College the Top HBCU in the Nation
This is the eighteenth consecutive year U.S. News and World Report has named Spelman College as the best HBCU in the country. Howard University was second, Florida A&M University and Tuskegee University tied for third, and Morehouse College was fifth.
Two Scholars Selected for Dean Appointments at HBCUs
The new deans are Obadiah M. Njue at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and LaVie Leasure at Winston-Salem State University in North Carolina.
Jonathan Holloway to Step Down as President of Rutgers University
Rutgers University's first Black president, Jonathan Holloway, has announced his intent to step down at the conclusion of this academic year. While the university has experience significant enrollment and fundraising growth, Dr. Holloway has faced controversy around his response to pro-Palestine protests on campus.
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.
A Change in Leadership at the College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at Florida...
Johnnie Early II, former dean of the FAMU College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has stepped down from his role and returned to a full-time faculty position. Seth Ablordeppey, longtime FAMU professor, has been selected to serve as interim dean.
Ira Bates to Lead School of Business and Industry at Florida A&M University
Dr. Bates' new appointment as interim dean of the FAMU School of Business and Industry follows the reassignment of former dean, Shawnta Friday-Stroud, who returned to a full-time faculty position.
Andrea Hayes Dixon Named Chair of Federal Scientific Management Review Board
The Scientific Management Review Board supervises and reviews the operation of all scientific research programs within the United States Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Hayes Dixon will serve as board chair through June 2026.
Naronda Wright Elected First Black President of NAGAP, The Association for Graduate Enrollment Management
As a member of the NAGAP, The Associate for Graduate Enrollment, Dr. Wright held several positions with the organization prior to her new presidential election. She previously served as conference chair and vice president.
The Aftermath of the Supreme Court Ruling Outlawing Race-Sensitive Admissions
Black enrollments at many of the nation's highest ranked universities are down significantly. But some top schools have been able to maintain a diverse student body despite the Supreme Court ban of race-sensitive admissions.
Herman “Skip” Mason, Jr. to Lead Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta
"I am committed to continuing the mission of this beloved institution, standing on the shoulders of the trailblazing faculty who have shaped us into prophetic problem solvers," said Dr. Mason, interim president of the Interdenominational Theological Center.
The White House Presents Its Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award to Karen Ivy
Dr. Ivy was recognized by the White House for her outstanding background in community service. She is known for creating the U.S. to Uganda Connections Program, an international initiative that uses technology to inspire and empower youth through educational exchanges and leadership development.
Rolanda Horn Named Chair-Elect of NASPA’s Center for Women
The Center for Women within the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators was established in 2001 to bring attention to issues concerning women in higher education. Dr. Horn has served as a board member for the center for the past two years.
