Virginia State University Offering a New Course on HBCU History

Virginia State University is now offering what could be the nation’s first higher education course in the history of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This is the first semester that the course is being offered. It quickly filled to capacity.

The 300-level course – HBCU History – covers a range of historical and cultural topics including: the schools’ origins; political activism; roles in creating the Black middle and upper class; sports, music, campus life and culture; funding sources; contributions to America; roles in African decolonization; notable alumni/ae; past, present, and future challenges and much more.

The course was created by Cheryl Mango, an assistant professor of history at Virginia State University. “HBCUs, though lauded for their contributions, are no exception when it comes to the need for serious academic study of their historical trajectories,” says Dr. Mango. “In light of the battle for scholarly confirmation, I believe that HBCU History and HBCU Studies classes are the next frontier for Black colleges.”

Dr. Mango is a graduate of Grambling State University in Louisiana, where she double majored in history and political science. She holds a master’s degree in history from Louisiana Tech and a Ph.D. in history from Morgan State University in Baltimore.

 

Related Articles

4 COMMENTS

  1. Let me get this straight. HBCUs have been in existence since 1837 and it literally taken 183 years before they offered its FIRST course on HBCU history. This only highlights why HBCUs are under constant attacks externally and even internally due to a lack of collective Black academic consciousness within the HBCU landscape. Entirely too many HBCU Presidents and Chancellors and other upper echelon administrators are more concerned about placating to their respective White state legislator’s and White donors. Further, HBCUs should be more concerned about truly educating Black students on the purpose, intent, mission along with the institutional and structural racism it faced with historically and currently as compared to just getting a JOB. They just don’t get it. By the way Dr. Mango, you need to recognize that HBCUs don’t need to be Validated by White academia in order to be considered scholarly work.

    • Michael, I’m not sure if you attended an HBCU, but my undergraduate HBCU, and many I’ve worked with, offer mandatory courses on the history, mission, and purpose of their universities. Additionally, many of these universities instill pride and validation in matriculating from an HBCU.

      I think this course is a great opportunity to fully teach and incorporate the history of HBCUs in American history, specially for those students who do not know the history.

      • Hey KM,
        Are you kidding me! Your entire comment is littered with pure emotions and no facts. I would suggest that you reread my initial comment. You are aware that HBCUs can be critiqued by anyone regardless if they’re an alumni(a) or not. Let’s be honest KM. HBCUs are mired in Colorism, Groupism, Sexism, and lack true accountability. Give me a break.

Leave a Reply

Get the JBHE Weekly Bulletin

Receive our weekly email newsletter delivered to your inbox

Latest News

California State University Sacramento Launches Black Honors College

Officially launching for the fall 2024 semester, the Black Honors College will support students from all backgrounds who study Black history, life, and culture by providing them with a specialized curriculum and mentoring opportunities.

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.

In Memoriam: Norman B. Anderson, 1955-2024

Dr. Anderson was the assistant vice president for research and academic affairs at Florida State University at the time of his death. He had an extensive career in clinical psychology, which led him to become the first African American chief executive officer of the American Psychological Association.

Georgia State University Launches Program to Support Black Women in Tech

While Black women account for roughly 29 percent of the Georgia State University undergradaute student body, they represent only 10 percent of the university's computer science majors and 18 percent of the computer information systems majors.

Featured Jobs