Monthly Archives: July 2016

The University of Cincinnati to Request a Diversity Statement From All Job Applicants

Applicants for administrative position at the University of Cincinnati will be asked to file a personal statement on their contributions to diversity efforts and/or the potential contributions to diversity, inclusion, or leadership that they plan to make if hired by the university.

Thirty NFL Players Complete an Executive MBA Program at the University of Miami

Some 30 current or former players in the National Football League, most of them African Americans, were among the program's first graduating class.

Yale Worker Breaks Stained Glass Window That Depicted Slaves

A dishwasher at the Calhoun residential college at Yale University, used a broom handle to punch out a stained glass window that depicted slaves carrying cotton. Yale later said that the windows depicting scenes from the life of slavery defender John C. Calhoun would be removed.

New Government Report Examines Spending Increases on Prisons vs. Education

In seven states - Idaho, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, and Virginia - per capita spending increases on prisons were five times the increases for education over the past 30 years.

The Higher Education Connections of the First African American Librarian of Congress

Carla Hayden, a former assistant professor of library science at the University of Pittsburgh, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the 14th Librarian of Congress. She is the first African American and the first woman to hold the position.

Study Finds a Link Between Racial Discrimination and Alcohol Abuse

Researchers found a total of 71 peer-reviewed articles relating to racial discrimination and drinking, leaving little doubt that a significant correlation exists. But the authors found significant gaps in the research.

A Check-Up on Black Enrollments in U.S. Medical Schools

New data from the Association of American Medical Colleges show that during the 2015-16 academic year, 5,505 Black students were enrolled in U.S. medical schools. Three historically Black schools had the highest number of Black enrollees. Four medical schools had no Black students.

Black Scholar at the University of Nebraska Examines Family Hardship and Stress

American families who face economic hardship or mental health issues when their children are young are highly likely to continue to struggle and have families that continue to live under a high level of stress.

Alabama A&M University Extends Contract of President Andrew Hugine Jr.

The board of trustees of Alabama A&M University in Huntsville has approved a contract extension through July 15, 2020 for Andrew Hugine Jr., president of the university. Dr. Hugine became the eleventh president of the university in 2009.

Mississippi Valley State University to Offer a New Concentration in Sound Recording Technology

The new concentration aims to prepare students for careers as recording technicians, mixing engineers, live sound recorders, recording studio entrepreneurs, and other entertainment industry occupations.

A Pair of African American Scholars Appointed to Dean Posts

Gregory Washington was appointed to a second five-year term as dean of engineering at the University of California, Irvine, and Cheryl Harrison was appointed dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies at Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York.

University of Maryland Eastern Shore Reorganizes a Major Academic Unit

The School of Arts and Professions, which came into being in 1996, now will be called the School of Education, Social Sciences and the Arts. Ray J. Davis will serve as dean of the new school.

New Higher Education Administrative Appointments for Five African Americans

The appointees are Stan Wilcox at Florida State University, Ulanda Adair-Simpson at Lone Star College in Texas, Earl C. Paysinger at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, Joseph Jones at Drake University in Iowa, and Tracy Foster at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore.

Delaware State Partners With Southwest Petroleum University in China

The agreement with Southwest Petroleum University in Chengdu, China, calls for faculty and student exchanges between the two universities, research collaborations, and other activities.

Four Black Scholars in New Teaching Roles

Maya Wiley was appointed to a named chair at the New School. Rhea Ballard-Thrower was named director of University Libraries at Howard University. Rick Lowe and Anindo Marshall are joining the faculties at the University of Houston and the University of Southern California, respectively.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

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

Major Increase in Black Admits to the University of California

The total number of Black students from California admitted to one or more undergraduate campuses of the University of California increased to 3,464 this year from 2,653 a year ago. This is a major increase of more than 30 percent.

Saint Augustine’s University Partners With a University in Colombia

Saint Augustine's University, the historically Black educational institution in Raleigh, North Carolina, has entered into a partnership agreement with the University of the Pacific in the South American nation of Colombia. The agreement will allow for student exchanges beginning this coming academic year.

Texas Southern University Partners With Lone Star College

Under the agreement, students who earn associate's degrees at Lone Star College will be helped in transferring to Texas Southern University and will be provided with academic counseling. Students who earn credits at Texas Southern University but leave school, will be able to use those credits to obtain an associate's degree at Lone Star College.

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 Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Mississippi Valley State University Debuts Retention Program Aimed at Sophomores

The new initiative includes the assignment of mentors as "success coaches" for all second-year students. Workshops are held every two weeks and sophomores are given leadership training, community service opportunities, and academic support.

A Black Woman’s Half-Century Journey to a Bachelor’s Degree

Delores Ojunga-Andrew is a Black woman who is a member of the Class of 2018 at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, Massachusetts. At age 72, she is the oldest student enrolled at the women's college.

In Memoriam: Roscoe Conkling Brown Jr., 1922-2016

Roscoe C. Brown Jr. was a Tuskegee Airman who was former president of Bronx Community College in New York and a former professor at New York University and the Graduate Center at the City University of New York.

Four Black Scholars Honored With Notable Awards

The honorees are Kingsley Odigie a postdoctoral researcher at the U.S. Geological Survey, Keisha N. Blain of the University of Iowa, Maurice Williams of Hampton University in Virginia, and Robert L. Belle Jr., a long-time educator who was recognized by Rowan University in New Jersey.

The Top Undergraduate Feeder Institutions of African Americans to U.S. Medical Schools

During the 2015-16 academic year, the University of Florida graduated 109 students who applied to U.S. medical schools. This was 2.2 percent of all Black students who applied to medical schools in the United States. Nearly 14 percent of all graduates of Spelman College applied to medical school.

JoAnne Epps Named Provost at Temple University in Philadelphia

Professor Epps joined the Temple faculty in 1985. She was named associate dean of academic affairs at the law school in 1989. She was promoted to full professor in 1994. Since 2008, she has served as dean of the university's Beasley School of Law.

University of California Scientists Offer New Take on the Evolution of Skin Color

A study by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco, finds that darker skin is stronger than lighter skin and forms an important barrier against a host of environmental threats.

James Ammons Changes His Mind on Becoming Provost at Delaware State University

In May, it was announced that James H. Ammons would be the next provost and vice president for academic affairs at Delaware State University in Dover. Now Dr. Ammons has decided to stay put as a professor of political science at Florida A&M University.

Ban the Box Initiatives May Produce a Higher Level of Racial Discrimination

"Ban the Box" legislation prohibits potential employers from asking job applicants to check a box if they have criminal records. But a new university study finds that if employers don't have information about criminal records, they are more likely to rely on their assumptions and racial biases.

A Change in Leadership at the White House HBCU Initiative

Ivory Toldson, executive director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities has resigned and will return to the faculty at Howard University. Kim Hunter Reed will now lead the office. She was a deputy undersecretary of education and former chief of staff for the Louisiana Board of Regents.

Encouraging News on Enrollments at Virginia State University

Preliminary data for fall enrollments project a 5 percent increase in total enrollments from a year ago. The number of first-year students who have indicated their intention to enroll is up a significant 30 percent from 2015.

Vanessa Sheared Appointed Dean of Education at the University of the Pacific

For the past decade Dr. Sheared has been serving as dean of the College of Education at California State University, Sacramento. Earlier, she served on the faculty at San Francisco State University.

Alabama State University to Offer Two New Degree Programs

The university will now offer a bachelor's degree program in biomedical engineering, a STEM program that will be attractive to a diverse group of students. The university also will now offer a master of social work degree program.

Six African Americans Appointed to New Administrative Posts in Higher Education

The appointees are Michael A. Freeman at Coppin State University, Felita Y. Singleton at Portland State University, Henry Wade Johnson at Benedict College, Marcus Cox at Xavier University of Louisiana, Paul Baker at North Carolina Central University, and Roland N. Bullard Jr. at Dillard University in New Orleans.

Oakwood University Expands Its Online Education Footprint

Under the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements program, students residing in 40 states and the District of Columbia can now take courses through Oakwood Online University.

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