Monthly Archives: March 2018
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.
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.
MIT Debuts a New Website Documenting Its African American History
At present, the website offers more than 500 illustrations, photographs, and other archival material. An additional 2,500 items already collected by the MIT Black History Project will be included in the future.
Towson University Faculty Produce Film on Jim Crow-Era Baltimore
The film, produced and directed by three faculty members in the College of Education at Towson University, presents oral histories of seven Baltimore residents who recount growing up in the city before the civil rights era.
Dilliard University’s Nursing Programs Getting Back on Track
In the spring of 2016, Dillard University announced that it would suspend admissions to its bachelor’s degree nursing programs. Now it has received initial approval to implement its restructured baccalaureate nursing programs for the spring semester in 2019.
Higher Education Grants or Gifts 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.
The University of Maryland’s Online Tour of Its African American History
The tour features 17 locations on campus that are significant to the history of African Americans at the university. It includes landmarks that celebrate the contributions of African-Americans to the campus and community.
Syracuse University’s New Grant Program to Enhance Campus Diversity Programs
The new grants will support diversity programs and practices on campus that "deepen understanding and engagement across multiple areas of difference, including racial, ethnic, religious, disability, nationality and veteran status, among others."
Texas Southern University Building a New Library Learning Center
In addition to library space, the 137,000-square-foot building will include space for the university's online and distance education programs, administrative offices, a board room, and offices for student support services.
Denise Rush to Serve as a Dean at Boston Architectural College
Rush has been serving as director of undergraduate interior architecture at the college. She is a licensed interior designer and has worked in design firms in Chicago, Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan and taught at Columbia College and the University of Illinois.
New Report Examines the Persisting Racial Wealth Gap Among U.S. Households
A new report from the Center for American Progress finds that in 2016 the median wealth of Black households led by a person who was at least 25 years old was $13,460. For similar White households the median wealth was $142,180.
The New Chair of the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs
Since November 2017, Johnny C. Taylor Jr. has been serving as the CEO of the Society for Human Resource Management. Earlier, from 2010 to 2017 he was president of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, an organization supporting the nation's state-operated HBCUs.
The Racial Gap in High School Completion and Dropout Rates
A new report from the U.S. Department of Education finds that in 2014 7.4 percent of all Blacks ages 16 through 24 were not enrolled in school and did not have a high school diploma or equivalent certificate. For Whites the figure was 5.2 percent.
Dawn Bragg Appointed Dean of Medical Student Affairs at the University of South Dakota
Dr. Bragg had been serving as a professor of pediatrics and associate dean for student inclusion and academic enrichment at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee. She has been on the staff there since 1994.
Academic Study Finds a Large Racial Gap in Trust of Public Water Supplies
The study, led by an assistant professor at Penn State, found that only 38 percent of Black adults drank tap water daily compared to 61 percent of White adults. Also, 46 percent of Black adults consumed bottle water every day compared to 26 percent of White adults.
Bowie State University Launches the New Department of Technology and Security
The new department offers a bachelor's degree program in computer technology, the only such program within the 12-campus University System of Maryland. The inaugural chair of the new department is Professor Lethia Jackson.
Freeman Hrabowski to Receive American Council on Education’s Lifetime Achievement Award
Dr. Hrabowski has served as president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County since 1992. Over the course of his career, President Hrabowski has been a strong advocate for increasing opportunities for African American students in STEM disciplines.
Tuskegee University Announces Summer Veterinary Medicine Program for High Schoolers
Historically Black Tuskegee University in Alabama has announced the Veterinary Science Training, Education and Preperation Institute (VET STEP). The summer program aims to increase interest among high school students for careers in veterinary medicine.
Three New Full Professors at Howard University in Washington, D.C.
Nefertiti Burton was appointed professor and chair of the department of theatre arts. Kim Michelle Lewis was appointed professor of physics and Bourama Toni was appointed professor and chair of the department of mathematics.
Albany State University in Georgia Seeks to Enhance the Student Experience
Albany State University is undertaking a new initiative to improve and enhance the student experience. The new program will focus on three key areas: the first-year student experience, student engagement for success, and student support services.
Five African Americans Appointed to New Administrative Posts in Higher Education
Appointed to new posts are Carolyn Branton at Robert Morris University Illinois, Renee Bostic at Notre of Maryland University, John Eason at Florida A&M University, Michael A. Harris at Boston College, and Lorraine A. Acker at Bennett College in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Oklahoma State University Scholar to Serve on National Board of Diversity Officers
Jason F. Kirksey, vice president of institutional diversity and chief diversity officer at Oklahoma State University, has been elected to serve on the board of directors of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education.
