Tagged: University of California Berkeley

In Memoriam: Ernest Morrell, 1971-2026

At the time of his passing, Dr. Morrell was serving as the the Coyle Professor of Literacy Education at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana. A renowned literacy studies scholar, Dr. Morrell advocated for literacy as a means of social justice, empowering youth to access information, exercise informed citizenship, and participate fully in civic and cultural life.

Berkeley Launches Three-Year Initiative on Black Critical Theory

Launched earlier this year, the Black Critical Theory Initiative at the University of California, Berkeley, aims to bring greater attention to contemporary issues in Black studies. The program is led by Henry Washington, Jr., assistant professor of African American studies.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants 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.

Framing Contemporary Social Inequities as “Civil Rights” Issues Decreases Public Suport

When modern social justice issues are framed as attacks on civil rights, Americans of all backgrounds are less likely to support government action. The authors theorize this language evokes memories of the civil rights movement, prompting unfavorable comparisons that may undermine the severity of contemporary problems.

Five Black Scholars Selected for Dean Appointments at Universities

The appointments are Kamau Siwatu at Texas Tech University; Courtney Anderson at Georgia State University; Michael Bolden at the University of California, Berkeley; Jide Wintoki at the University of Kansas; and Marla Peppers at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

In Memoriam: Frank Brown, 1935-2025

An advocate for racial justice in education, Dr. Brown was the first Black dean of the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he helped to establish the university's first Black cultural center.

In Memoriam: Lonnie R. Snowden, 1947-2025

Dr. Snowden served as a professor of social welfare and public health policy at the University of California, Berkeley from 1978 until his passing in January. He was dedicated to advancing research on mental health services and eliminating racial disparities in healthcare.

Study Uncovers More Evidence That Black Students Are Overrepresented in School Discipline

In an examination of six different kinds of school discipline and punishment, three comparison groups, and 16 subpopulations, a new study has found that "no matter how you slice it, Black students are overrepresented among those punished and excluded."

Danielle Speller Recognized by the National Society of Black Physicists for Early-Career Accomplishments

Danielle Spencer currently serves as an assitant professor of physics at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore. She was honored by the National Society of Black Physicists for her research into dark matter and her mentorship of the next generation of physicists.

Berkeley Professor Walter Hood Wins National Award for Excellence in Architecture and Landscape Design

Hood is a professor and chair of the department of landscape architecture & environmental planning and urban design at the University of California, Berkeley. He is also a practicing architect and a past recipient of the MacArthur "Genius" Grant.

Berkeley Law Establishes New Democracy Research Center in Honor of Christopher Edley, Jr.

The Edley Center on Law & Democracy will focus its efforts on advancing the understanding of threats to America's democracy. The center's namesake, Christopher Edley, Jr., served as dean of Berkeley Law from 2004 to 2013. He passed away on May 10, 2024.

Despite Overall Improvements in California’s Air Quality, Racial Disparities Persist

Historically racist housing policies, like redlining, have forced Black and other underrepresented communities into areas with high exposure to air pollution, such as those near highways and seaports. Although these areas have greatly improved their pollution exposure, relative disparities compared to White neighborhoods have increased since 2000.

Daphne Lamothe Promoted to Provost of Smith College in Massachusetts

Dr. Lamothe has taught Africana studies, women's and gender studies, and American studies at Smith College for two decades. She will assume the college's chief academic position on July 1.

Trinity College President Joanne Berger-Sweeney Announces Retirement

In 2014, Dr. Berger-Sweeney became the first African American and first woman president of Trinity College since its founding in 1823. Over the past decade, the college has experienced growth in enrollment and graduation rates, hired more diverse faculty, and improved campus infrastructure.

Kimberly White-Smith Honored for Outstanding Contributions to Teacher Education

“Through her leadership and scholarship, Dr. White-Smith inspires a new generation of teachers to serve students and approach their work with equity, compassion, and respect,” said Gail F. Baker, provost and senior vice president at the University of San Diego. 

A Trio of Black Scholars Who Have Been Appointed to New Positions

Darian Longmire is a new assistant professor of art practice at the University of California, Berkeley. Associate professor Michelle Richardson was named faculty athletics representative at Coppin State University in Baltimore and Jallicia A. Jolly is a new assistant professor of American studies and Black studies at Amherst College in Massachusetts.

Outlawed 55 Years Ago, The Effects of Redlining Are Still Being Felt in Communities of Color

Although the practice of redlining has been illegal since 1968, multiple studies show that redlining’s harmful legacy has left nonwhite communities struggling with air pollution, reproductive health disorders, and fewer urban amenities more than 50 years later.

Berkeley Professor to Design Emory University’s Memorial to the Enslaved

In 2021, Emory University announced plans to develop memorials on its Atlanta and Oxford campuses to honor the enslaved individuals who are part of Emory’s history. The university has selected the Hood Design Studio of Oakland, California to develop plans for the memorials.

Harry Elam to Step Down as Occidental College President at the End of the Academic Year

Harry J. Elam Jr. became the sixteenth president of Occidental College in Los Angeles on July 1, 2020. Dr. Elam recently announced in a message to new students that he would be stepping down from his post at the end of the academic year due to a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease.

Jamal A. Cooks Is the New President of Chabot College in California

Dr. Cooks has served as vice president of academic services at Chabot College since 2022, although he assumed the role on an interim basis in 2021. Prior to community college administration, Dr. Cooks served as a full professor at San Francisco State University, where he was also the associate director for the educational leadership doctoral program.
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In Memoriam: Norman C. Francis, 1931-2026

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Norman C. Francis served as president of historically Black Xavier University of Louisiana for nearly five decades. When he retired in 2015, he was the longest-tenured university president in the United States.

Eric Wilcots to Lead the University of Wisconsin-Madison

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A faculty member since 1995, Dr. Wilcots currently serves as dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's College of Letters & Science. He is slated to become the institution's interim president on May 17.

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