Historically Black Colleges And University Research Paper

Thesis: HBCU’s are necessary for the future of democratic America because they better prepare African American students as individuals and for the workforce.

For almost two hundred years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities or HBCUs have played a pivotal role in the education of African-American people, and negro people internationally. These schools have provided the majority of black college graduates at the Graduate and Post-Graduate level; schools such as Hampton University, Morehouse University, Spellman University and Howard University are four universities at the forefront of the advanced education of blacks. For sometime there has been a discussion on whether or not these institutes should remain in existence or if they are just another form of racism. There were also concerning the quality of education provided at these institutions. In my opinion, from the evidence provided

The new generation of upcoming college scholars have been appearing to have a lot of debate over the criteria of an HBCU not being corresponding to a PWI. It is time to understand and be able to get involved with the debate about Historically Black College/University (HBCU) versus Predominantly White Institution (PWI). To proceed it is best to start with the definition of these terms because everyone needs to have knowledge when it comes to this subject. This subject also needs to be more than just a debate between students attending HBCUs and African Americans at PWIs. Quite shockingly, there are many out there that do not know what an HBCU is and if they do they think of these “black schools” as a form of racism. When it boils down to HBCU’s

istorically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are the institutions in the United States that were created for the specific purpose of educating Black American college students. With the push for integrating white institutions during the Civil Rights Movement, enrollment at many HBCUs has dropped, and their role of educating the most of the Black middle class has changed dramatically. Although the student population at the majority of HBCUs remains predominantly black, the racial diversity of such institutions have undergone tremendous changes over the years.

Tyree had started out performing strong, but soon his grades began to fall. He transferred to Howard University and changed his major from pharmacy to journalism. Tyree criticizes his peers still attending Pittsburgh saying “Where many of my African-American peers at Pitt had downsized themselves to just ‘getting along,’ ‘passing the grade’ and ‘rubbing shoulders’ with White America, I still wanted to compete to be the best.” Tyree argues that unlike students at PWIs, students at HBCUs have a more competitive nature because they are focused on academics and do not settle for just a passing grade. He also argues that although people may work just as hard at a PWI as they would at an HBCU, they have more opportunities to succeed, and become better leaders. The faculty at HBCUs provides the students with support they need to perform at a high level. This support results in students interacting with other peers, and also increased GPAs. Also, students at HBCUs are more likely to graduate and have more desire to go on and fulfil a career. Student graduation rates are high considering HBCUs only comprise 2 percent of colleges in the United States. 22.5 percent of all bachelor’s degrees, 11.9 percent of all master’s and 18.9 percent of all professional degrees received by African-Americans are from HBCUs. Since eighty percent of African Americans in college attend PWIs, it

Another major predicament that plays a large role in the amount of African Americans that do not receive a higher education is once they get to college, they do not have a typical or enjoyable experience once there. In today’s society, it is hard to imagine that there is still racism and segregation in schools and colleges today but the reality is, it still does very much exist. This is especially true when black students attend predominantly white universities. Even though most colleges promote themselves by talking about how diverse their

This debate has led many scholars to question: Are HBCUs still relevant, and are they the best institutions to train our next generation of leaders?

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are institutions of higher education in the United States that were established before 1964. As amended by The Higher Education Act of 1965, a part B institution refers to any “Historically Black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” Though in 1837 Cheyne University of Pennsylvania and 1854 Lincoln University (Pennsylvania) had been established for Black education, Black Colleges and Universities became recognized by the United States Government in the 1890’s.

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities, or HBCUs, have played an important role in enriching the lives of not just African Americans, but our entire country.”(Keller) What Ric Keller states here is an opinion that outlines a compelling fact about HBCUs that along with several other significant information that may come as a surprise. Essentially, the great debate between the choice of whether an Historically Black College and University or Predominantly White Institution is more beneficial or not can become a pondering interrogation. Each acronym defines itself, Historically Black Colleges and Universities(HBCUs) were established by the means of providing an education for predominantly African American students. Whereas, Predominantly White Intuitions(PWI) serve to instruct and educated the opposite or in other words those of Caucasian descent.

According to the National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES), there are 101 Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965 defines HBCUs as “…any historically Black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation” (US Department of Education, 2017). It is important to note that unlike other Minority Serving Institutions, HBCUs, are only one of two types of institutions (Tribal Colleges & Universities or TCUs are the other) federally designated by law and therefore, cannot increase in number with an act of Congress (Li, 2007). In other words, every time an HBCU closes its doors, we get one step closer to the elimination of the historical and consequential institutions.

I wish I could say it still surprises me when I mentioned to people that I attended an HBCU (Historically Black College/University), some of them have no idea they exist. Often, it turns into a conversation starter, which usually evolves into a meaningful educational moment about the history of HBCU’s. However, occasionally I find myself becoming frustrated when ask the question “why” in a way that questions the validity and or need for HBCU’s in 2016. As a student at Hampton University I did not fully realize the impact it would have on me, but looking back, it is clear to me that those experiences have shaped who I’ve grown into today, and strongly influence to my desire to pursue a career in environmental science education.

Students in high school have a very difficult time depicting the college or university of their choice whether there are going to attend a Historical Black College or University, Predominantly White School? As a future educator, I made a commendable choice to attend an HBCU because they are still needed today for successful individuals. Although some African- Americans forget the journey that our ancestors had to go through so we as African-American can have a better education from an accredited college or university. During the time period of slavery many African- Americans could not attend a PWI school because the color of their skin. In addition, that why I think HBCU’s are still needed today. Also many HBCU’s have very strong history behind their schools. South Carolina State University is a very distinguished supportive and studious HBCU, no matter how the media may criticize this college there are still lessons being taught day to day lives.

HBCUs can at earliest be dated back to before the Civil War, when the majority of colleges wouldn’t admit African American students on the premise of their race alone These schools were created specifically for the education of African Americans due to the fact that while some states had educational facilities open to all in the North and West, most of the South had segregated systems that forbade the admittance of African Americans. In 1890, the Agricultural College Act was passed, requiring segregated states to create a separate land grant

The job of college president is not made for just anyone. Though there are many characteristics required to successfully adhere to a calling of this magnitude, I would insert impeccable leadership, immense public stature, and the grit of a champion at the top of the list. More importantly, a college president must desire to see a positive change made in the lives of the student body he or she serves. According to Dr. Robert Birnbaum in How Academic Leadership Works (1992), he notes that, “exemplary presidents are seen as both competent and as sensitive to the social and political dynamics of their institutions” (pg. 97). If this is true, it is unfortunate that many college presidents, especially the newly appointed ones at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), seem to lack the tenure to prove how exemplary they can be. As we explore multiple cases of HBCUs who have recently abandoned premature presidents, I will refer to The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education article “Academic Hunger Games: HBCUs in a Fight for Survival”, penned by former Texas Southern University president, Dr. John M. Rudley. This journal article review considers whether historical black colleges’ presidents are truly given enough time in their position to address ever-present issues, establish systematic changes, or if they can even ever prove to become exemplary leaders and ultimately divert a failed presidency. Specifically, we will invert three presidential derailment themes to

In 1636, Harvard, the first college in America, was established and has since been one of the most prominent schools in this country (Tomar). For decades, Harvard and the rest of the “Ivy League” have been the top academic schools in the country, but our they the overall best schools for our students to attend? These schools are academically incomparable, but there are also many drawbacks to these prestigious institutions. Researchers have seen by analyzing graduates of the top tier schools and current students that they are intellectual, but their performance in the workplace and in social settings do not live up to their IQ. Studies and personal observations have shown that these schools create an overly stressful environments and provide a lack of socioeconomic diversity which can be very harmful to the well-being of a person. Moreover, statistics have revealed that those who attend state colleges have a higher chance of retaining their math and science degree until graduation and a person searching for a job could have just as good a chance as an Ivy league graduate if not more for attending a state or public college. Therefore, I assert that a student who is qualified to attend an Ivy League school would be a more qualified employee and citizen in general if they enroll in a state or public college.