The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Monica L. Baskin Is the First Woman to Lead the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

On August 3, Dr. Baskin became the first woman to lead the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is now the first Black woman to serve as director of a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.

Albert Bimper to Oversee Academic Affairs at the University of North Texas

Albert Bimper has been selected to serve as interim provost at the University of North Texas, where he has been leading the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences — the institution's largest and most comprehensive college.

Three Black Scholars Selected to Lead Education Schools at Universities

Tomiko Brown-Nagin is dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education, Gerrelyn Patterson is dean of the College of Education at Virginia State University, and Julie A. Washington is dean of the School of Education at the University of California, Irvine.

Ron R. Walcott to Lead Academic Affairs at the University of Georgia

Dr. Walcott has been a faculty member at the University of Georgia since 1999. For the past six years, he has served as vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School.

Research & Studies

Black Students Earned Less than Five Percent of Physics Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded in 2024–2025

New data from the American Institute of Physics has revealed Black students represented about 4.7 percent of all recipients of physics bachelor's degrees awarded by U.S. institutions during the 2024–2025 academic year. Black students' representation among physics undergraduate degree recipients has gradually increased over the past two decades.

Virginia State University Report Examines the Economic State of Black American Men and Boys

A new report from Virginia State University's Wes Bellamy analyzes the current economic conditions facing Black men and boys in the United States, including insights regarding K-12 education, postsecondary education, employment, income, and wealth disparities.

Rutgers Study Connects Gun Violence Exposure to Racial Health Disparities

The findings from a new study from scholars at Rutgers University suggests greater exposure to gun violence is a direct contributor to the persistent health disparities facing Black and Hispanic communities.

National Urban League Releases Its 2026 State of Black America Report

In recognition of the country's 250th anniversary, the National Urban League's 2026 State of Black America report examines the status of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for Black Americans and discusses how to protect the American Dream for all.

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Quote of the Week

“We must defend democracy at the ballot box, in the courtroom, and in the streets. We must demand diversity not as a program, but as a principle that reflects what this country actually is.”

Marc H. Morial,
president and CEO of the National Urban League
(see JBHE post)

Statistic of the Week

54%
Black percentage of all players in the National Football League during the 2025-26 season
0
College football players selected directly from a historically Black college or university in the 2026 National Football League draft

source: Zippia.com

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

Black Students Earned Less than Five Percent of Physics Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded in 2024–2025

New data from the American Institute of Physics has revealed Black students represented about 4.7 percent of all recipients of physics bachelor's degrees awarded by U.S. institutions during the 2024–2025 academic year. Black students' representation among physics undergraduate degree recipients has gradually increased over the past two decades.

Monica L. Baskin Is the First Woman to Lead the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

On August 3, Dr. Baskin became the first woman to lead the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is now the first Black woman to serve as director of a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.

Virginia State University Report Examines the Economic State of Black American Men and Boys

A new report from Virginia State University's Wes Bellamy analyzes the current economic conditions facing Black men and boys in the United States, including insights regarding K-12 education, postsecondary education, employment, income, and wealth disparities.

Albert Bimper to Oversee Academic Affairs at the University of North Texas

Albert Bimper has been selected to serve as interim provost at the University of North Texas, where he has been leading the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences — the institution's largest and most comprehensive college.

Rutgers Study Connects Gun Violence Exposure to Racial Health Disparities

The findings from a new study from scholars at Rutgers University suggests greater exposure to gun violence is a direct contributor to the persistent health disparities facing Black and Hispanic communities.

Three Black Scholars Selected to Lead Education Schools at Universities

Tomiko Brown-Nagin is dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education, Gerrelyn Patterson is dean of the College of Education at Virginia State University, and Julie A. Washington is dean of the School of Education at the University of California, Irvine.

*Forbes* Ranks HBCUs on the Success of Their Graduates

A new list from Forbes magazine ranks Howard University as the top private HBCU in terms of how successful its students are after graduating. North Carolina A&T State University is listed as the top public HBCU for graduate success.

Five Black Scholars Selected for New Faculty Appointments

Emery Brown was granted MIT's highest faculty title and Denise Davis-Maye is the inaugural associate provost for faculty affairs at Albany State University. Jeffrey Allen Murdock, Shaundra Daily, and Maxie Hollingsworth have joined the faculties of Yale University, the University of Tennessee, and Sam Houston State University, respectively.

Bowie State University Launches New Ph.D. in Nursing Education

Launching with its inaugural cohort in Fall 2026, Bowie State University's new Ph.D. program in nursing education is the first degree of its kind offered at a higher education institution in the state of Maryland.

Four Professors Receive the 2026 Trailblazer Award From the National Black Nurses Association

Among this year's recipients of the National Black Nurses Association's Trailblazer Awards are four Black scholars currently teaching at universities: Angela Frederick Amar of New York University, Felesia Bowen of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Stephan Davis of Georgetown University, and Selena Ann Gilles of the University of Pennsylvania.

Talladega College Establishes Student Transfer Agreement With Lawson State Community College

"By creating clear and supportive pathways from Lawson State to Talladega College, we are empowering students to continue their academic journeys with confidence and purpose. Together, we are building opportunities that prepare graduates to lead and serve in an increasingly global society," said Talladega College President Willie L. Todd, Jr.

New Appointments for Eight Black Administrators in Higher Education

Here is this week’s roundup of African Americans who have been appointed to new administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@jbhe.com.

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.

Audit Confirms North Carolina A&T State University Unfairly Awarded Student Financial Aid

“Students got an advantage because of who they knew and who they were connected to, not because of the merit or the need they exhibited to the university to receive aid,” said North Carolina State Auditor David Boliek.

In Memoriam: William Clair Turner Jr., 1948-2026

Dr. Turner was a member of the Duke University community for five decades. A three-time graduate of the university, he served in numerous administrative and academic leadership roles, while teaching as an endowed professor in the Divinity School.

A Change in Academic Leadership at South Carolina State University

Frederick Evans, who has served as provost of South Carolina State University for nearly five years, recently announced his abrupt resignation. Louis Whitesides, vice president for public service and agriculture, will serve as interim provost.

In Memoriam: Nell Lane Bradford, 1922-2026

Dr. Bradford taught music at Alabama A&M University for 40 years. She also served as director of the HBCU's choir.

National Urban League Releases Its 2026 State of Black America Report

In recognition of the country's 250th anniversary, the National Urban League's 2026 State of Black America report examines the status of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for Black Americans and discusses how to protect the American Dream for all.

Ron R. Walcott to Lead Academic Affairs at the University of Georgia

Dr. Walcott has been a faculty member at the University of Georgia since 1999. For the past six years, he has served as vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School.

Study Finds Non-White School Districts Spend More Per Student Than Other Districts

Since the early 2000s, high-poverty, predominately non-White districts spend more money per pupil than their counterparts. However, urban, predominantly non-White school districts often have higher labor costs, which explains much of the discrepancy.

Brian L. Johnson Named Chief Operating Officer at Edward Waters University

Dr. Johnson comes to his new role at Edward Waters University with extensive experience in higher education leadership, including service as president of Tuskegee University in Alabama from 2014 to 2017.

Research Finds Historical Racial Inequities in Federal Mortgage Lending

During the 1935 to 1947 period, foreign-born U.S. residents appeared to have benefited significantly more from these federal lending programs than native-born Black borrowers.

Four Black Leaders Who Have Been Appointed Dean of Students at HBCUs

The new deans are Jillian Jackson at Shaw University in North Carolina, Ronald Wabomnor at North Carolina A&T State University, Kevin Reese at Morris College in South Carolina, and Charles E. Stallworth at Talladega College in Alabama.

All Recent Posts

Black Students Earned Less than Five Percent of Physics Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded in 2024–2025

New data from the American Institute of Physics has revealed Black students represented about 4.7 percent of all recipients of physics bachelor's degrees awarded by U.S. institutions during the 2024–2025 academic year. Black students' representation among physics undergraduate degree recipients has gradually increased over the past two decades.

Monica L. Baskin Is the First Woman to Lead the VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center

On August 3, Dr. Baskin became the first woman to lead the Virginia Commonwealth University Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center. She is now the first Black woman to serve as director of a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center.

Virginia State University Report Examines the Economic State of Black American Men and Boys

A new report from Virginia State University's Wes Bellamy analyzes the current economic conditions facing Black men and boys in the United States, including insights regarding K-12 education, postsecondary education, employment, income, and wealth disparities.

Albert Bimper to Oversee Academic Affairs at the University of North Texas

Albert Bimper has been selected to serve as interim provost at the University of North Texas, where he has been leading the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences — the institution's largest and most comprehensive college.

Rutgers Study Connects Gun Violence Exposure to Racial Health Disparities

The findings from a new study from scholars at Rutgers University suggests greater exposure to gun violence is a direct contributor to the persistent health disparities facing Black and Hispanic communities.

Three Black Scholars Selected to Lead Education Schools at Universities

Tomiko Brown-Nagin is dean of the Stanford Graduate School of Education, Gerrelyn Patterson is dean of the College of Education at Virginia State University, and Julie A. Washington is dean of the School of Education at the University of California, Irvine.

*Forbes* Ranks HBCUs on the Success of Their Graduates

A new list from Forbes magazine ranks Howard University as the top private HBCU in terms of how successful its students are after graduating. North Carolina A&T State University is listed as the top public HBCU for graduate success.

Five Black Scholars Selected for New Faculty Appointments

Emery Brown was granted MIT's highest faculty title and Denise Davis-Maye is the inaugural associate provost for faculty affairs at Albany State University. Jeffrey Allen Murdock, Shaundra Daily, and Maxie Hollingsworth have joined the faculties of Yale University, the University of Tennessee, and Sam Houston State University, respectively.

Bowie State University Launches New Ph.D. in Nursing Education

Launching with its inaugural cohort in Fall 2026, Bowie State University's new Ph.D. program in nursing education is the first degree of its kind offered at a higher education institution in the state of Maryland.

Four Professors Receive the 2026 Trailblazer Award From the National Black Nurses Association

Among this year's recipients of the National Black Nurses Association's Trailblazer Awards are four Black scholars currently teaching at universities: Angela Frederick Amar of New York University, Felesia Bowen of the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Stephan Davis of Georgetown University, and Selena Ann Gilles of the University of Pennsylvania.

Talladega College Establishes Student Transfer Agreement With Lawson State Community College

"By creating clear and supportive pathways from Lawson State to Talladega College, we are empowering students to continue their academic journeys with confidence and purpose. Together, we are building opportunities that prepare graduates to lead and serve in an increasingly global society," said Talladega College President Willie L. Todd, Jr.

New Appointments for Eight Black Administrators in Higher Education

Here is this week’s roundup of African Americans who have been appointed to new administrative positions at colleges and universities throughout the United States. If you have news for our appointments section, please email the information to contact@jbhe.com.

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.

Audit Confirms North Carolina A&T State University Unfairly Awarded Student Financial Aid

“Students got an advantage because of who they knew and who they were connected to, not because of the merit or the need they exhibited to the university to receive aid,” said North Carolina State Auditor David Boliek.

In Memoriam: William Clair Turner Jr., 1948-2026

Dr. Turner was a member of the Duke University community for five decades. A three-time graduate of the university, he served in numerous administrative and academic leadership roles, while teaching as an endowed professor in the Divinity School.

A Change in Academic Leadership at South Carolina State University

Frederick Evans, who has served as provost of South Carolina State University for nearly five years, recently announced his abrupt resignation. Louis Whitesides, vice president for public service and agriculture, will serve as interim provost.

In Memoriam: Nell Lane Bradford, 1922-2026

Dr. Bradford taught music at Alabama A&M University for 40 years. She also served as director of the HBCU's choir.

National Urban League Releases Its 2026 State of Black America Report

In recognition of the country's 250th anniversary, the National Urban League's 2026 State of Black America report examines the status of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness for Black Americans and discusses how to protect the American Dream for all.