The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Lisa Thompson Named President of Union Theological Seminary

Dr. Thompson's appointment marks a return to Union Theological Seminary, where she previously taught for three years. Most recently, she was the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Black Homiletics & Liturgics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Nicole Reaves Appointed President of Schenectady County Community College in New York

Dr. Reaves has been serving as executive vice president and chief programs officer at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina. On July 15, she is slated to become the first woman president of Schenectady County Community College within the State University of New York System.

The New Dean of the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Before his appointment as interim dean in January 2025, Dr. Chitiyo, a professor of special education, served five years as chair of the university's department of specialized education services.

Saint Augustine’s University Files Class 11 Bankruptcy Amidst Accreditation Turmoil

Following several years of financial and accreditation turmoil, Saint Augustine's University's board of trustees has filed for bankruptcy and decided to not continue litigation related to its accreditation status.

Research & Studies

Study Shows Racial Diversity in Business and Law Schools Leads to Higher Salaries for Graduates

“Our results indicate that policies promoting racial diversity boost salaries for the entire cohort of students,” said co-author Peter Golder, professor of marketing at Dartmouth College. “The key implication of our study is pretty clear, namely that efforts to reduce racial diversity by outlawing affirmative action and dropping DEI initiatives will make us all poorer.”

Study Finds AI Models Are Less Likely to Give Constructive Criticism to Black Students

A team of scholars at Stanford University asked four AI chatbots to provide feedback on essays by middle school students of different races. Essays by Black students were given more praise, while White students' essays received more constructive criticism to improve their writing skills.

Racism and Socioeconomic Distress May Alter Pregnancy Biology in Black Women

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have found three key physiological processes linked to pregnancy complications that are more prevalent in Black women than White women. Notably, these processes cannot be explained by genetic differences, suggesting these outcomes are likely driven by socio-environmental stressors.

Study Finds Racial Differences in How Parents Talk to Their Children About the Police

“Simply put, the fact that families must have these conversations is stressful,” said lead author Ashley Jackson. “Thus, it’s important for practitioners – teachers, clinicians – to be aware of the structural inequities that their clients must navigate and be thoughtful when offering their clients advice about who to turn to for help in emergent situations.”

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Quote of the Week

“This team combined brain-power, focus, resilience, and most of all, teamwork when it mattered most. Their belief in each other propelled them to victory.”

Clayton C. Mack, Jr.,
associate director for the division of extended studies at North Carolina Central University and coach of the national champions of the 2026 Honda Campus All Star Challenge. (see JBHE post)

Statistic of the Week

257
Number of players selected in the 2026 National Football League draft
0
Number of players from HBCUs who were selected in the 2026 National Football League draft

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

Study Shows Racial Diversity in Business and Law Schools Leads to Higher Salaries for Graduates

“Our results indicate that policies promoting racial diversity boost salaries for the entire cohort of students,” said co-author Peter Golder, professor of marketing at Dartmouth College. “The key implication of our study is pretty clear, namely that efforts to reduce racial diversity by outlawing affirmative action and dropping DEI initiatives will make us all poorer.”

Lisa Thompson Named President of Union Theological Seminary

Dr. Thompson's appointment marks a return to Union Theological Seminary, where she previously taught for three years. Most recently, she was the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Black Homiletics & Liturgics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Study Finds AI Models Are Less Likely to Give Constructive Criticism to Black Students

A team of scholars at Stanford University asked four AI chatbots to provide feedback on essays by middle school students of different races. Essays by Black students were given more praise, while White students' essays received more constructive criticism to improve their writing skills.

Nicole Reaves Appointed President of Schenectady County Community College in New York

Dr. Reaves has been serving as executive vice president and chief programs officer at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina. On July 15, she is slated to become the first woman president of Schenectady County Community College within the State University of New York System.

Racism and Socioeconomic Distress May Alter Pregnancy Biology in Black Women

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have found three key physiological processes linked to pregnancy complications that are more prevalent in Black women than White women. Notably, these processes cannot be explained by genetic differences, suggesting these outcomes are likely driven by socio-environmental stressors.

The New Dean of the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Before his appointment as interim dean in January 2025, Dr. Chitiyo, a professor of special education, served five years as chair of the university's department of specialized education services.

Fifteen HBCUs Launch New Initiative to Advance Research Capacity

Fifteen historically Black colleges and universities have formed the Association of HBCU Research Institutions. The coalition aims to expand research capacity at HBCUs and increase the number of HBCUs achieving R1 Carnegie Classification.

New Appointments for Four Black Scholars in Academia

The Black scholar named to new posts are Ozzie Abaye at Virginia Tech, Suban Nor Cooley of Michigan State University, A. Bolu Ajiboye at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and Dustin Bessette at Mt. Hood Community College in Oregon.

State Auditors Uncover Alledged Financial Misconduct at North Carolina A&T State University

An investigation conducted by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor found North Carolina A&T State University distributed more than $5 million in student aid without evidence of merit or need-based criteria.

South Carolina State University Embroiled in Controversy Over Commencement Speaker

South Carolina Lt. Governor Pamela Evette was slated to speak at SCSU's upcoming commencement. However, after students spoke out against her views and policies, the HBCU rescinded her invitation citing safety concerns. A group of conservative legislators are now calling to defund the university.

Two Black Professors Honored for Their Distinguished Service to Architecture Education

Carla Jackson Bell of Tuskegee University in Alabama and David Hughes of Kent State University in Ohio have each received an Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Distinguished Professor Award in honor of their contributions to architecture education.

Texas Southern University Launches New Aviation Facility in Houston

Housed at the Houston Spaceport, Texas Southern University's new 20,000-square-foot hanger features 12 aircraft, as well as classroom and office space to support coursework tied to the HBCU's developing aerospace engineering program.

New Positions for Three Black Administrators at Universities

Sheena Cobrand was named interim general counsel at North Carolina A&T State University. Grant Winrow was named vice president of institutional advancement at Wilberforce University in Ohio and Kofi Ofori was appointed chief financial officer at Towson University in Maryland.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

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.

Saint Augustine’s University Files Class 11 Bankruptcy Amidst Accreditation Turmoil

Following several years of financial and accreditation turmoil, Saint Augustine's University's board of trustees has filed for bankruptcy and decided to not continue litigation related to its accreditation status.

Former Students and Staff Sue Martin University Over Its Abrupt Closure

A group of former students, staff, and Martin University's alumni association are suing the college over its abrupt closure and disruption to its students' education.

In Memoriam: Odessa Johnson, 1939-2026

Dr. Johnson was a longtime leader in education in the Modesto, California, community. The first African American to teach at Modesto High School, Dr. Johnson founded the Modesto Institute for Continued Learning and served as a regent with the University of California.

Study Finds Racial Differences in How Parents Talk to Their Children About the Police

“Simply put, the fact that families must have these conversations is stressful,” said lead author Ashley Jackson. “Thus, it’s important for practitioners – teachers, clinicians – to be aware of the structural inequities that their clients must navigate and be thoughtful when offering their clients advice about who to turn to for help in emergent situations.”

LeRoi Hicks Named the First African American CEO of the American College of Physicians

Dr. Hicks previously served as chief of Hospital Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Medical School. He is slated to become the first Black doctor to lead the American College of Physicians in July.

Racial Disparities in Mortality Risk Linked to Black American’s Greater Lifetime Exposure to Stress

Using 20-years-worth of data from blood draws, surveys, and retrospective reports of childhood experiences, a study from scholars at Washington University revealed Black participants experienced more stress throughout the lifetime and had higher levels of inflammation compared to White participants, which may explain Black-White disparities in mortality risk.

Itohan Osayimwese to Lead the Society of Architectural Historians

Dr. Osayimwese, professor and department chair at Brown University, will serve a two-year term as the society's vice president, followed by another two-year term as president. Her scholarship centers on relationship between political ideologies and the built environment in sub-Saharan African, the Caribbean, and Europe between 1750 and 1950.

Racial Differences in How Teens Use Social Media

Black teens are significantly more likely than their peers to use social media to get news. Nearly six-in-ten Black teens say they use TikTok to get news, compared to less than half of Hispanic and White teens. Black teens are also almost twice as likely to post daily on the video-sharing app.

Kesha James Named Dean of Online Learning at Miles College in Alabama

As the new dean of online learning at Miles College in Alabama, Dr. James will provide strategic leadership for the HBCU's online initiatives and oversee academic data reporting and analytics.

All Recent Posts

Study Shows Racial Diversity in Business and Law Schools Leads to Higher Salaries for Graduates

“Our results indicate that policies promoting racial diversity boost salaries for the entire cohort of students,” said co-author Peter Golder, professor of marketing at Dartmouth College. “The key implication of our study is pretty clear, namely that efforts to reduce racial diversity by outlawing affirmative action and dropping DEI initiatives will make us all poorer.”

Lisa Thompson Named President of Union Theological Seminary

Dr. Thompson's appointment marks a return to Union Theological Seminary, where she previously taught for three years. Most recently, she was the Cornelius Vanderbilt Chair of Black Homiletics & Liturgics at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Study Finds AI Models Are Less Likely to Give Constructive Criticism to Black Students

A team of scholars at Stanford University asked four AI chatbots to provide feedback on essays by middle school students of different races. Essays by Black students were given more praise, while White students' essays received more constructive criticism to improve their writing skills.

Nicole Reaves Appointed President of Schenectady County Community College in New York

Dr. Reaves has been serving as executive vice president and chief programs officer at Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina. On July 15, she is slated to become the first woman president of Schenectady County Community College within the State University of New York System.

Racism and Socioeconomic Distress May Alter Pregnancy Biology in Black Women

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have found three key physiological processes linked to pregnancy complications that are more prevalent in Black women than White women. Notably, these processes cannot be explained by genetic differences, suggesting these outcomes are likely driven by socio-environmental stressors.

The New Dean of the School of Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Before his appointment as interim dean in January 2025, Dr. Chitiyo, a professor of special education, served five years as chair of the university's department of specialized education services.

Fifteen HBCUs Launch New Initiative to Advance Research Capacity

Fifteen historically Black colleges and universities have formed the Association of HBCU Research Institutions. The coalition aims to expand research capacity at HBCUs and increase the number of HBCUs achieving R1 Carnegie Classification.

New Appointments for Four Black Scholars in Academia

The Black scholar named to new posts are Ozzie Abaye at Virginia Tech, Suban Nor Cooley of Michigan State University, A. Bolu Ajiboye at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and Dustin Bessette at Mt. Hood Community College in Oregon.

State Auditors Uncover Alledged Financial Misconduct at North Carolina A&T State University

An investigation conducted by the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor found North Carolina A&T State University distributed more than $5 million in student aid without evidence of merit or need-based criteria.

South Carolina State University Embroiled in Controversy Over Commencement Speaker

South Carolina Lt. Governor Pamela Evette was slated to speak at SCSU's upcoming commencement. However, after students spoke out against her views and policies, the HBCU rescinded her invitation citing safety concerns. A group of conservative legislators are now calling to defund the university.

Two Black Professors Honored for Their Distinguished Service to Architecture Education

Carla Jackson Bell of Tuskegee University in Alabama and David Hughes of Kent State University in Ohio have each received an Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture Distinguished Professor Award in honor of their contributions to architecture education.

Texas Southern University Launches New Aviation Facility in Houston

Housed at the Houston Spaceport, Texas Southern University's new 20,000-square-foot hanger features 12 aircraft, as well as classroom and office space to support coursework tied to the HBCU's developing aerospace engineering program.

New Positions for Three Black Administrators at Universities

Sheena Cobrand was named interim general counsel at North Carolina A&T State University. Grant Winrow was named vice president of institutional advancement at Wilberforce University in Ohio and Kofi Ofori was appointed chief financial officer at Towson University in Maryland.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

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.

Saint Augustine’s University Files Class 11 Bankruptcy Amidst Accreditation Turmoil

Following several years of financial and accreditation turmoil, Saint Augustine's University's board of trustees has filed for bankruptcy and decided to not continue litigation related to its accreditation status.

Former Students and Staff Sue Martin University Over Its Abrupt Closure

A group of former students, staff, and Martin University's alumni association are suing the college over its abrupt closure and disruption to its students' education.

In Memoriam: Odessa Johnson, 1939-2026

Dr. Johnson was a longtime leader in education in the Modesto, California, community. The first African American to teach at Modesto High School, Dr. Johnson founded the Modesto Institute for Continued Learning and served as a regent with the University of California.

Study Finds Racial Differences in How Parents Talk to Their Children About the Police

“Simply put, the fact that families must have these conversations is stressful,” said lead author Ashley Jackson. “Thus, it’s important for practitioners – teachers, clinicians – to be aware of the structural inequities that their clients must navigate and be thoughtful when offering their clients advice about who to turn to for help in emergent situations.”