Dr. Scott was the first Black woman dean of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Nursing. Originally set to retire in June 2026, she moved up her retirement date for health reasons, ultimately passing less than a week after stepping down from her role.
Dennis Shields, president of the Southern University System and chancellor of Southern University and A&M College, has been dismissed from his post. He will join the HBCU's law school faculty after a sabbatical.
For more than three decades, Dr. Patterson taught voice at the University of Michigan, where he was the first African American professor of music. Earlier in his career, he taught voice at two HBCUs: Southern University and Virginia State University.
In 1984, the Victims of Crime Act established victim compensation programs to support victims and families of violent crime. Although Black families are more likely to file victim compensation claims, they are less likely to have their claims approved than White families.
Johnson was the first African American to be appointed to a deanship at the University of Michigan. He led the university's School of Social Work for 12 years.
Following a career as a K-12 teacher and counselor, Dr. Walker spent 21 years on the faculty at the University of South Florida's College of Education. Her scholarship centered on improving administration and supervision in urban public schools.
A leading scholar of church sacred music, Dr. Abbington was slated to join Duke Divinity School this fall as the inaugural Joseph B. Bethea Professor of the Practice of Sacred Music and Black Church Studies.
Katherine Tate, professor of political science at Brown University, is a leading scholar on African American politics, race and gender in political science, American public opinion, government, and urban politics.
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.
“When I accepted my appointment, I recognized the UW–Madison School of Nursing as an innovative environment where significant impact on health could be made,” said Dr. Scott, who will conclude her 10-year tenure as dean in June 2026.
Alford Young, an endowed professor at the University of Michigan, is set to begin a one-year term as president-elect of the American Sociological Association in September, followed by a term as president in 2026. As a scholar, he explores the social experiences of African Americans - both within and outside of academia.
Dr. Wilderson was the first Black professor hired into a tenure-track position at the University of Minnesota. An educational psychologist, he played a key role in the development of the university's African American studies program.
“I’m honored to lead ongoing efforts to reach new heights of research and student success in New Brunswick,” said Dr. Geary. “I’ve spent my career building connections to maximize impact on campus and in the community, and I’m eager to continue this work as provost in service to all faculty, staff and students.”
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.
For more than three decades, Dr. Jackson taught English at Alabama State University. During her long tenure, she served as director of the interdisciplinary honors program and chair of the department of humanities.
"We're not just trying to preserve programs. We're trying to protect the future of higher education," said Dr. Raquel Rall, co-director of the new Center for Strategic and Inclusive Governance.
"Returning to Morehouse as its thirteenth president is the honor of a lifetime," said Dr. Bowman. "This institution shaped who I am — instilling a commitment to excellence, justice, and impact. I am excited to partner with faculty, staff, students, alumni, and supporters to build on our legacy and write the next chapter of Morehouse's transformative story."
Dr. Robert Taylor, professor of social work at the University of Michigan, has recently published a study regarding the patterns of friendships and support networks for African Americans. Unmarried Black adults are more likely to have stronger friend networks than those who are married.
People who hold strong racial biases against Black men and women's intelligence are more likely to dismiss a genius Black TV or movie character as unrealistic, even when the character is based on a real-life individual.
Since 1985, the Whiting Foundation has supported creative writing through the Whiting Writers’ Awards. Three of this year's winners are Black scholars with current academic affiliations at American institutions of higher education.