Student Loan Relief

The Department of Education (the Department) announced that the Biden Administration will cancel $10,000 in student loan debt for those earning less than $125,000 per year and $20,000 for those who had received Pell grants. The action relies upon the 2003 HEROES Act which gives significant powers to Education Department during a national emergency. The press release also indicated that pause on student loan repayment, interest, and collections will be extended through December 31, 2022, and reiterated details of changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. The New York Times offered additional information and an FAQ.

Grant Program for Minority-Serving Institutions

The Department of Education (The Department)  announced it will launch the College Completion Fund, a competitive grant program aimed at supporting minority-serving intuitions improve retention, transfers, and completion efforts. Priority will be given to community colleges. Awards will be capped at $1,000,000. The program was unveiled during a higher education summit during which Secretary Cardona blasted the college ranking system and took elite institutions to task for failing to provide resources to meet the needs of underrepresented students. The secretary also announced that Project Success, which provides resources and services aimed at improving student success, will be renewed for an additional three years. Secretary Cardona’s remarks are viewable online.

Final Rescue Plan Fund Award

The Department of Education announced the award of Supplemental Support under the American Rescue Plan (SSARP), the last HEERF grant. Application for SSARP ended in April 2022. Preference was given to institutions still struggling to cover the cost of coronavirus mitigation and student support programs. Awardees include South Carolina State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Wilberforce University, Rust College, Morris Brown College, Lawson State Community College, Coahoma Community College, Clinton College, Wiley College, Bluefield College, and Trenholm State Community College. 

Guidance for Changing Accreditors 

The Department of Education outlined the process for institutions seeking to change or add an accrediting agency. Institutions must seek the approval of the Department before submitting an application to the new primary accrediting agency. For changing accrediting agencies, other conditions must be satisfied, including providing materials related to prior accreditation and documentation of reasonable cause for the change. For adding an accrediting agency, the institution must provide reasons for the multiple accreditation or pre-accreditation. 

Update on Student Loan Discharges

The Department has made several announcements regarding student loan discharges. It approved a discharge for over 200,000 borrowers who attended ITT Technical Institute, including some who have not yet applied for borrower defense to repayment. The discharges will be automatic and do not require borrowers to file an application. The Department also approved loan discharges for students who had enrolled in the  Medical Assistant or Medical Billing & Coding Program at Kaplan Career Institute's Kenmore Square location in Massachusetts between July 1, 2011, and February 15, 2012. DeVry University was informed that it will be required to pay for borrower defense applications that have been approved. The university can appeal.

Misuse of Pandemic Relief Funds

An audit by the Department of Education Office of Inspector General found the state of Oklahoma mishandled grants it received under the Governor's Emergency Education Relief Fund (GEERF). The inspector general’s office cited Oklahoma for lack of transparency, oversight, and accountability and recommended the state be asked to return $653,000 in addition to more than $919,000 that remains unspent. Oklahoma has sued ClassWallet, the financial management platform used to distribute GEERF. The state found the provider's record keeping and reporting did not meet federal standards. However, the inspector general noted that Oklahoma failed to use ClassWallet’s internal control option, failed to review expenditures, and did not properly supervise the service provider.

Education Department Erred in Loan Calculations

The Government Accountability Office found the Department of Education’s (the Department) estimation of income generated from student loans was faulty. The Department had projected to make $114,000,000,000 from student loans over the past 25 years. However, due to changes in the loan programs and incorrect assumptions about borrowers, the federal student loan program is actually costing $197,000,000,000. The GAO’s report is available here.

Grants Program Revived

For the first time since its inception in 2008, the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence program will accept applications from HBCUs, TSUs, and MSIs seeking to bolster their state-accredited teacher preparation programs. The Department announced applications for grants would be open through October 7, 2022.  

Revised Protocols for Processing Complaints

Updated procedures for the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights went into effect on July 18, 2022. The updates, published in the Case Processing Manual, include the handling of systemic issues when a complaint has been made, the rules governing mediation, and the deadlines for filing consent forms and supporting documentation.

Interactions with Foreign Entities

The Department published slides from a webinar on compliance with section 117 of the Higher Education Act, which requires institutions to disclose whenever they receive a gift from or enter into a contract with a foreign entity that is valued at $250,000 or more.

Negotiated Rule Making Updates

The Department of Education proposed several regulatory updates during July. Three separate items published in the Federal Register concern regulations governing: the 90/10 requirement, the Pell Grant and prison education programs, the policy regarding interest capitalization on Direct Loans, administration of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, the total and permanent disability discharge rule, and the Title IX policy, which the Department is currently blocked from enforcing in 20 states. 

One of the items, the proposed ban on the use of mandatory pre-dispute arbitration and class action waivers as a part of Direct Loan contracts, may face legal challenges. Pundits suggest that, given the provisions of the Federal Arbitration Act and judicial precedents, the Department may lack the authority to enforce such a ban. 

An expected update to income-driven repayment was not among the items published. It was postponed in order to ensure the other regulations do not miss the deadline for finalized rules that will go into effect on July 1, 2023. 

Update on the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS)

The Department announced it has terminated recognition of ACICS as an accrediting agency. Institutions accredited by ACICS have an 18-month grace period during which they must find another recognized accrediting agency to switch to in order to continue participating in Title IV programs. Read the Deputy Secretary’s Decision here, the letter sent to the institutions accredited by ACICS here, and a summary of additional conditions imposed upon those institutions are here.

Accreditation Shopping

The Department of Education (the Department) published guidance aimed at curbing what it called accreditation shopping. An institution seeking to change accreditors will be required to secure approval from the Department prior to initiating the application process. Failure to do so could jeopardize participation in federal student aid programs. The Department maintains such a control is necessary to ensure institutions are not changing accreditors to avoid sanctions. Most institutions that have been sanctioned or have had their accreditation withdrawn within the past two years would not be able to switch accreditors under the new guidance. Exceptions include cases where the existing accreditor failed to provide due process, applied its standards inconsistently, or failed to respect an institution’s stated mission.

Free College Program Violates Federal Rules

A program review by the Department of Education found a free tuition program violated federal rules by mischaracterizing Pell Grants as outside scholarships. The program offered by Eastern Gateway Community College, provided free tuition and fees to union members. The Department also cited concerns over the college’s relationship with its online program management partner, the Student Resource Center (SRC). Regional accreditor, the Higher Learning Commission, sanctioned the college citing inability to scale faculty and academic support during a surge in enrollment.

Clash with Florida Law Likely

The Department sought to clarify its voluntary membership requirement for accreditation agencies in a recent letter. The Department said that the voluntary nature of membership could be undermined by legislation that went into effect July 1, 2022, in Florida. That legislation requires institutions to change accreditors at the end of each accreditation cycle. The Department said it had received several inquiries about the potential conflict and warned that it will only recognize accreditors whose members are voluntary.

Support For Victims of Bomb Threats

Several of HBCUs that received bomb threats earlier this year applied for funding under Project SERV. Some have begun to receive those awards. Observers voiced concern that the application process delayed rather than expedited that support.

For-Profits Oppose Settlement

A federal district court will allow American National University, Lincoln Education’s Services Corporation, and Everglades Colleges to intervene in the proposed settlement between the Department of Education and student loan borrowers (Sweet v. Cardona). The institutions say they are being forced to forfeit their right— under federal law—to address the allegations against them. They maintain they should be allowed to review individual borrower defense applications on a case-by-case basis. The Department has proposed rules that would make it easier for it to recoup the cost of loan discharges from institutions. However, if finalized by the November 1, 2022, deadline, the new rules would apply only to loans disbursed after July 1, 2023.

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Enrollment Expectations for Fall

After multiple years of falling enrollment, higher education news reporters are anticipating a rebound for HBCUs, small colleges, large research institutions, and regional colleges and universities. Among the HBCUs mentioned in the report, Tennessee State University is already reporting its largest ever first-year class. Fisk University announced enrollment is at a high not seen since 1979 and Morgan State University opened a new residence hall in expectation of record-breaking enrollment. 

Cost Sharing for Colleges

The League for Innovation in the Community College (LICC) and Acadeum, a course-sharing platform have formed the League for Innovation Online Course Sharing Consortium. Open to  LICC members, the consortium will help the institutions increase their capacity and flexibility. They will be able to offer courses unavailable at their home institutions. 

Engagement Between HBCUs and Local Governments 

Several HBCU presidents and members of the African American Mayors Association attended a webinar hosted by Rutgers University Center for Minority Serving Institutions. The focus was on building relationships between municipalities and HBCUs. Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, president of Benedict College, Mr. Frank Scott, Jr., mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas, Dr. Kevin James, president of Morris Brown College, and Dr. Marybeth Gasman, director of the Center for MSIs participated You can watch the webinar here.

Proactive Admissions

The Common App is a portal which students can use to apply to several or all participating institutions simultaneously. Recently, the portal offered students automatic admission to all the institutions to which they applied. Results showed that, compared to students who applied through the traditional process, those participating in the pilot program were more likely to seek admission. The Common App said it plans to expand the program. 

Bomb Threats

Over the past week, Howard University has responded to several bomb threats. As a precaution, the university evacuated the Seeley Mudd Building on August 12, 2022, temporarily closed  Cook Hall on August 23, 2022, and the Howard Plaza Towers on August 26, 2022. The evacuations were brief and no devices were found. These are the latest of several bomb threats made against the university and other HBCUs this year. No arrests have been made.

Room Scans Violate Privacy

A federal court found that virtual room scans violate student protection from unreasonable search. The room scan was required by an online-proctoring service. The institution could use other student evaluation methods, particularly in light of the absence of data indicating such scans reduce cheating.

Health Concerns for Fall

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona was upbeat in his outlook for fall citing updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Administrators may not feel as optimistic as they face mental health, coronavirus, and monkeypox concerns. 

Mental health challenges have increased as more students appear to be struggling with depression, anxiety, and financial problems in addition to the usual stresses and demands of academia. Many students cite mental health issues as a key factor in dropping out, pausing and delaying the start of their education during the pandemic. There has been some federal support aimed at helping institutions address mental health issues but critics say more needs to be done. 

Black students seem to be faring better than other groups. A recent survey found Black students had reported the fewest mental health issues. However, a recent report from the Education Trust found student debt was pervasive among Black students and had a negative impact on their mental health. Financial problems have been cited as key indicator of mental health risk

Many states have relaxed their mask mandates and although it has not yet declared the end the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated guidance for the pandemic. It also published a community level indicator decision-makers can use to track the disease levels in their county. 

As administrators adjust risk mitigation policies for the coronavirus, they are also faced with a new threat— monkeypox. This virus is spread by direct contact with infected body fluids, lesions, and respiratory secretions. Although, so far the numbers appear to be low, policy makers are encouraged to develop mitigation plans to keep their campus communities safe.  ( Note that as of July 16, 2022, the National Suicide Prevention Hotline can be reached directly by dialing 988.)

Loan Program Adds to Intergenerational Debt

Although it was created for the middle-class, Parent Plus loans have been relied upon disproportionately by families beneath that income bracket. A recent study found the program’s higher interest rates play a role in intergenerational debt and the racial wealth gap.

XFL Recruits at HBCUs

Jackson State University hosted an invitational XFL showcase. The event was developed to help the league find players to fill its roster for the upcoming 2023 season. Co-owners, Dwayne Johnson and Dany Garcia were on hand and spoke highly of the talent encountered at HBCUs. 

Conference Realignment 

Collegiate sports conference realignments can have a huge financial impact on participating institutions. One of the biggest factors to consider are travel expenses. Recently, Jackson State University’s Coach Deion Sanders touched on the subject and HBCU Gameday’s Brian Simpkins explored various realignment scenarios.

HBCU Leaders Abroad

Under an agreement between the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the American Jewish Committee, several HBCU presidents participated in a Project Interchange trip to Israel. The group sought to develop professional relationships and explore opportunities to partner with Israeli institutions for student and faculty exchanges and joint research projects.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Stillman College has been approved to provide tax preparation and counseling by the IRS. The college will be a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site and a Tax Counseling for the Elderly location beginning in January 2023. The college will serve Tuscaloosa’s West End neighborhood. Students will be trained using IRS software and faculty will be trained by the IRS.

Top Textbook Becomes Open Resource

The 10^th edition of Organic Chemistry by John McMurry will be an open education resource (OER). The OER publishing house, OpenStax, has acquired the rights. They have agreed to pay a licensing fee which the author says he intends to donate to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation in memory of his son. OpenStax’s acquisition is remarkable. The book was a top selling textbook used by institutions all over the world. It was previously published by Cengage, a major player in the textbook industry.

High Debt Low Earnings

Data gleaned from College Scorecard suggests graduates of master’s programs at private nonprofit institutions have a greater chance of ending up with high debt and low earnings than those who have graduated from private or for-profit institutions, according to a limited study by the Urban Institute.

University Affiliated Research Center

The United States Air Force and the Department of Defense said they intend to create a university affiliated research center (UARC) at an HBCU. The center will be the Defense Department’s 15th UARC and the first to be associated with an HBCU or the Air Force. Research efforts at the UARC will focus on tactical systems capable of providing support autonomously. 

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance

Stillman College has been approved to provide tax preparation and counseling by the IRS. The college will be a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site and a Tax Counseling for the Elderly location beginning in January 2023. The college will serve Tuscaloosa’s West End neighborhood. Students will be trained using IRS software and faculty will be trained by the IRS.

Labor Shortages

Higher Education continues to be plagued by labor shortages. Many former employees have left academia for the corporate sector. Other challenges include the inability to accommodate remote working, compliance issues with intricate state laws, and difficulty meeting salary demands. Hiring in academia is often complicated and slow. Applicants often go elsewhere before the process is complete. Critical shortages in financial aid and business offices persist. 

Diversity and Inclusion Stagnant

A recent report found that despite a proliferation of initiatives, ethnic and racial populations remain underrepresented in academia amongst students, faculty, and administration. In general, institutions have failed to keep up with the rapidly increasing numbers of Hispanic and Latino students and with traditionally underrepresented Black, Native American, and Pacific Islander students. 

Title IX Policies

Students may have difficulty understanding their institution’s Title IX policy, according to an article published by Inside Higher ED suggests. The authors suggest training students and creating student-focused documents that supplement the legal and compliance focused material.

Water Emergency Impacts HBCU

Deteriorating infrastructure, recent flooding, and the failure of a critical treatment plant has caused contamination and low water pressure in Jackson, Mississippi. Jackson Mayor Chokwe Lumumba declared a state of emergency and said change is needed how the municipality treats its water. Critics fault the state for lack of investment in the city. Governor Tate Reeves ordered Mississippi's emergency management agency to install a command center at the failing water treatment plant. Amid the low pressure problems and a system-wide boil water alert, public schools switched to virtual instruction. Jackson State University, an HBCU, postponed move-in dates for students. It is unclear how long the current conditions will last.

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Bill Tackles Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program

Congress will consider bills that would make temporary waivers enacted for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program last year permanent. The Simplifying and Strengthening PSLF Act introduced by Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and a companion bill by the same name was introduced to the US House of Representatives by Congressman Joe Courtney (D-CT). 

Proposed Funding for 2023

The US House of Representatives submitted the appropriations bill for Labor Health and Human Services, and Education for fiscal year 2023. Appropriations for HBCUs increased by $40,000,000 over the fiscal year 2022. This is the second funding cycle to include earmarks, now known as community project funding. 

Pilot Program Awards Grants

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced the Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program (CMC) has begun awarding grants. Recipients included Dine College, Drake State Community and Technical College, Mercy College, Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, and Tohono O'odham Community College.  The funds will be used to purchase equipment, train IT personnel, and build an infrastructure to support internet access. HBCUs are encouraged to participate in the CMC and other digital equity programs.

Reconsidering Overtime Rules

The Department of Labor will begin the required rulemaking process to update federal overtime requirements mandated by the Fair Labor Standards Act in October 2022.

DACA Program Update

The Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule that transforms the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) from a policy into a law. That legislation is likely to be challenged in the federal courts. President Biden urged congress to provide a pathway to citizenship for those immigrants. 

Stricter Cybersecurity Rules 

The federal single audit currently includes an information security requirement that consists of three major checkpoints (see pages 1848-1849). These aim to ensure an institution has: an individual or team coordinating its information security, conducted an appropriate data security risk assessment, and addressed any risks that assessment revealed. 

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) Safeguards Rule was updated last December to add, among other requirements, cybersecurity incident reporting. Most of its provisions are currently in effect, with a December 9, 2022, deadline for compliance with the others. 

Although the rule does not immediately impact colleges and universities, the Department of Education is expected to update its audit requirements to align with it and other federal cybersecurity regulations, such as the FTC’s Privacy Rule and guidance from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau confirming that a failure to protect consumer data  violates federal law. The Department may also consider proposed rules covering commercial surveillance and data security practices and bills before congress. Some of these could be problematic for colleges and universities in the long run. Institutions are advised to keep abreast of these issues. 

Temporary Policy Rollback

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services ended its COVID-19 Temporary Policy for acceptance of expired documentation. To comply with regulations, employers must update Forms I-9 and reject expired documentation going forward. 

University Foundation is a Public Agency

Franklin County Circuit Court Judge Phillip Shepherd ruled that if the principal is subject to the Open Records Act, the agent is also subject to the Open Records Act. The case in question was the Kentucky State University Foundation, a private organization that maintains it does not receive public funding and is not controlled by the university. The foundation had rebuffed document requests made by the State Journal, a newspaper that subsequently sued under the Open Records Act 

Justice Department Sides With Plaintiffs in Antitrust Case

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a brief in a class action lawsuit against the 568 Group, which includes some of the nation’s leading colleges and universities. The organization claims that it is exempt from antitrust laws due to its members’ need-blind admissions policies. The lawsuit alleges that the policies of nine of the twenty-one members voids that exemption. The DOJ agrees with that assessment and urged the court not to dismiss the case. The DOJ’s cited its 2019 antitrust win against the National Association for College Admission Counseling for its policies and its earlier successes in opposing price-fixing and no-poaching agreements in academia.

Affirmative Action Challenge Update

Corporations, individuals, organizations, colleges, universities, and others have shown their support for affirmative action admissions policies. Harvard University recently asked the justices to reject a lawsuit filed against it by the Students for Fair Admissions. The group filed a similar lawsuit against the University of North Carolina. The lawsuits allege that the universities’ admissions policies discriminate against Asian-American applicants. However, several Asian American groups and individuals filed a brief in support of the policies. The cases were scheduled to be heard together by the US Supreme Court but have been separated to allow Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson to participate. Due to having recently served on its board, she recused herself from the Harvard University case.

Higher ED and Women’s Healthcare

A group of higher education administrative leaders and advocates met in Washington, DC to discuss the impact of the US Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Vice President Kamala Harris me with higher education advocates and administrators. HBCU presidents, including Dr. Glenda Glover and Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, participated in the discussion, some of which is available for viewing on YouTube. The Supreme Court’s decision may have a disproportionate impact on HBCUs due to regional politics.

Long COVID in the Workplace

The federal government solicited public input to help develop policies to support employees suffering long COVID symptoms. It is widely believed that about a fifth of those infected with the coronavirus suffer respiratory problems, headaches, brain fog, anxiety, and other symptoms that last several months. A compilation of the ideas that were submitted is available for review.

Governmental Accounting Standards Board News

GASBA is seeking comment on draft proposal that would require public institutions including colleges and universities to disclose information about risks or limitations that may impact their ability to provide services or meet obligations. The deadline for comments in September 30, 2022.

LIBOR 

The LIBOR Legacy Playbook was published by the Federal Reserve Board and the New York Fed to help organizations convert legacy contracts to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR). 

Sensitive Technology Transfer Prevention

The US Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report that found enforcement agencies should do a better job increasing the awareness of the need for research security on US campuses. GAO recommended vamping up outreach to research institutions which had the great risk for leaking data and technology via foreign students and scholars.

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Fisk University announced Dr. Vann R. Newkirk is no longer president. The board of trustees named its chairperson,  Mr. Frank L. Simms, acting president. Mr. Simms, a Fisk alumnus, is a retired Cargill vice president. Juliette Pryor, executive vice president and general counsel for Albertsons Companies, will serve as chairperson of the Fisk University Board of Trustees. She is also an alumna. The changes are effective immediately.

Huston-Tillotson University Board of Trustees named Dr. Melva K. Williams president and chief executive officer. Dr. Williams comes to Huston-Tillotson from the Southern University System, where she served in several administrative capacities.

Bishop State Community College named Olivier Charles president. Mr. Charles is an experienced administrator, who most recently served as dean of students at Enterprise State Community College.

Florida Memorial University’s Board of Trustees has extended the contract of President Jaffus Hardrick for five years. Dr. Hardrick is credited with restoring the university to fiscal health and good standing with its accreditor. He is also praised for launching new programs, boosting enrollment, and reinstating the football team and marching band. 

Tougaloo College named Ms. Pacey Bowens vice president for finance and administration and chief financial officer. An experienced administrator, Ms. Bowens comes to Tougaloo College from Arkansas Northeastern College where she is the associate vice president for finance.

Coppin State University made several appointments. Dr. Pamela Richardson Wilks was named provost and vice president for academic affairs, Dr. Stephan T. Moore was named vice president for enrollment management and student affairs, and Dr. James G. Steward was named associate vice president for student development and achievement. The appointees will collaborate on issues related to enrollment and retention and on bolstering academic support.

Saint Augustine’s University named Ms. Gwendolyn M. Kea vice president for business and administration. Ms. Kea hails from the State Employees Association of North Carolina where she served as the director of finance.

North Carolina Central University named Dr. Malik Edwards interim dean of the School of Law. Dr. Edwards perviously served as associate dean for faculty affairs and scholarly enrichment and as the John D. Fassett Professor of Law.  The university also named Dr. Will Guzman assistant vice chancellor for international programs and community engagement and  Dr. Mohammad Ahmed dean of the College of Health and Sciences. Dr. Guzman is an experienced administrator who will expand the university’s student abroad and globe exchange opportunities. Dr. Ahmed and currently serves as the interim associate dean for the College of Health and Sciences and is a researcher in physics and mathematics.

Meharry Medical College named Dr. Michelle Nichols senior vice president of clinical affairs.  Dr. Nichols will enhance and grow the school of medicine’s residency programs. She hails from Morehouse School of Medicine where she served as associate dean for clinical affairs and medical director for Morehouse Healthcare. 

Savannah State University named Dr. David Marshall dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Dr. Marshall hails from Morgan State University where he chaired the School of Global Journalism and Communication’s department of strategic communications.

Dillard University named Mablene Krueger interim provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.  Ms. Krueger  is an experienced administrator and former university president.  

Bowie State University named Amani Jennings dean of students. Mr. Jennings is an experienced educator and administrator. He is a PH.D. candidate in educational management at Hampton University.

North Carolina A&T State University named Dr. Lisa Owens-Jackson interim dean of the Willie A. Deese College of Business and Economics. At the time of the appointment, Dr. Owens-Jackson was servicing as chair of the department of accounting and economics. The university also named Dr. Veronica L. Sills interim associate vice chancellor for human resources and chief human resources officer to the position permanently.

Florida A&M University named Andrew Chin interim dean for the School of Architecture and Engineering Technology. He take the reins from Rodner Wright, who has retired. At the time of his appointment, Mr. Chin was serving as the associate dean at the school. The university also named Dr. Mary Simmons interim dean for the School of Allied Health Sciences.  The previous dean, Dr. Cynthia Hughes-Harris has retired. At the time of her appointment, Dr. Simmons was serving as the director for the division of cardiopulmonary science at the school.

Gadsden State Community College named Dr. Janekia Mitchell dean of student services. She previously served as an academic advisor.

South Carolina State University named Ms. Bettina Mozie acting director of the Center for Online and Distance Education. Ms. Mozie joined the university in 2018 as an academic specialist. The university also names veteran journalist Mr. Sam Watson director of university relations. Mr. Watson had been serving as the institution’s public information officer.

Voorhees University named Mr. Corey Smith dean of chapel and spiritual engagement. Mr. Smith has extensive experience working with faith-based organizations.

Allen University named Dr. Lisa Long provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Long is an experienced administrator. She recently served as acting president at Talladega College where she was also chief academic officer. The university also named Mr. Jovon Milford as interim director of bands. An orchestral percussionist, he has been serving as assistant director of bands and director of percussion at Allen University.

Virginia Union University announced several appointments. Ms. Tunesha Witcher was named director of global and online learning, Professor Dr. Richard Price was named dean of chapel and director of faith-based giving, Dr. Mark James was named assistant dean of students, Mr. Marcus Majorette was named director of client services, Mr. Kofi Jack was named chief information officer, Ms. Mylaka Simpson was named assistant vice president of enrollment management and director of graduate admissions, and Dr. Ahkinyala Cobb-Abdullah was named dean of the School of Arts and Sciences.

Alabama A&M University conducted a competitive nation search before naming Dr. John D. Jones provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Jones is currently serving as associate vice president and dean of graduate studies. The university also named Ms. Ka’Lisa Stanfield interim athletic director. Ms. Stanfield has been serving as the university’s associate athletic director and the senior woman administrator. 

Lincoln University (Missouri) named Dr. Zakiya Brown vice president of student affairs and enrollment management. Dr. Brown previously served as dean of students, chief diversity officer, and Title IX coordinator. 

Fisk University named Dr. Robert Carr, Jr., provost and vice president for academic affairs. Dr. Carr his from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where he served as chief academic officer. The university also named Ms. Corrinne Tarver athletic director. She will oversee the athletics department, intramural sports and activities, and the first HBCU gymnastics program. 

Morgan State University named Mr. Kenny Monday, the athletics departments men’s wrestling coach. Mr. Monday is a three-time Olympian, a National Wrestling Hall of Fame inductee,  and the first Black wrestler to win an Olympic gold medal. Mr. Monday comes to the university from Spire Academy where he served as the director and head coach of wrestling. The university also named Dr. Nicole M. Westrick assistant vice president and dean of the College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies,  a new academic unit designed to support adult students.

Alcorn State University named Cyrus “Cy” Alexander assistant coach. Mr. Alexander is a coaching veteran whose resume includes several conference wins and several season titles. His career began in 1976 at Howard University. He has also served at South Carolina State University, Tennessee State University, and North Carolina A&T University. 

Talladega College named Mr. Michael Grant vice president and athletic director. Mr. Grant previously served as the associate director of athletics at Morehouse College. An experienced coach and administrator, he has also served in athletic programs at Coppin State University, Stillman College, Southern University and Central State University. 

Texas College named Mr. Samuel W. Long, Jr., director of bands. Mr. Long hails from Royal High School where he served as the fine arts director and the director of bands.   

Morris Brown College made several appointments to its academic leadership team. Dr. Kristi Garrett was named assistant provost for academic affair and executive director of online learning. Dr. Malcom W. Devoe was named chair of the department general studies and liberal arts. Dr. Daniel F. Upchurch was named chair of the department of psychology. Dr. J. Anthony Plenty was named chair of the department of music and Dr. Yaw Amponsah Adoo was named chair of the department of business.

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Physician Assistant Sciences Program

Meharry Medical College announced it has received provisional accreditation status from the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant. This will allow Meharry Medical College School of Graduate Studies and Research to launch a physician assistant sciences program in January 2023.

On the Path to University Status

Livingstone College’s new master’s in business administration program was approved by the college’s accreditor, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The program, which will begin in January 2023, making it possible for the college to move toward securing university status.  

High School Outreach 

Claflin University announced the opening of the Institute of Teaching and Nursing (TITAN).  The institute  is part of South Carolina’s Institutes of Innovation and Information, an initiative aimed at improving the state’s HBCUs. TITAN’s mission will include health disparity research and programming for high school students. In conjunction with South Carolina State University, Claflin University also held a summer enrichment program that offered high school students and recent graduates the opportunity to learn about careers in K-12 education. The program provided counseling, mentoring,  academic support, and the opportunity to earn credits at both Claflin and South Carolina State Universities. The program was part of a state-funded initiative. The national shortage of K-12 teachers has shown no signs of abatement. 

New Master’s Program

Dillard University announced plans to offer its first master’s degree program. The College of Nursing’s Master of Science in Nursing degree program is awaiting approval from SACSCOC and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. The program will be supported in part by discretionary funding from the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Title III Part B) initiative.

Political Science Program

Jackson State University is launching a master’s degree in political science. The program will include an online option and have thesis option for students who intend to pursue a doctorate degree. The program debuts this fall.

Program for Non-traditional and Adult Students

Morgan State University College of Interdisciplinary and Continuing Studies announced it has joined Amazon’s Career Choices Program. Amazon partners with over 140 institutions to provide its employees degree and certification opportunities. As a partner, Morgan State University will offer eight bachelor’s degrees, online courseware, and advisory services.  The university will accept transfer credits and also allow participants to enroll in many of its undergrad degree programs.

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Career Opportunities for Students

BlueCross BlueShield® of South Carolina’s BlueScholars program will be expanded to include a career pathway. After this adjustment, in addition to offering four students from Benedict College and four students from Claflin University full four-year scholarships, the scholarship will offer them the opportunity to accept leadership positions in BlueCross BlueShield® of South Carolina after graduation.

HBCU Extends Reach to California

Saint Augustine’s University launched the first HBCU urban access hub in Fresno, California. The program will allow students in urban community colleges to enroll in classes at the Saint Augustine’s University while still remaining matriculated at their home institutions. This provides a pathway for students to transfer to the university to complete a four-year degree.  Wayne County Community College District and Cass Technical High School, an International Baccalaureate High School, were among the first to sign on to the program.

Turfgrass Education

Wilberforce University and Ohio State University signed a memorandum of understand to offer turfgrass education opportunities to Wilberforce students. The certificate program provided by Ohio State College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences will include advanced golf course management and sports turf management courses. 

Data Science

The Berkeley-Tuskegee Data Science Initiative, a multi-year partnership between Tuskegee University and UC Berkeley began this summer. The initiative includes curriculum created by computer science, electrical engineering, sociology, and bioethics researchers. 

Community College Partnership

Coppin State University and the Community College of Baltimore County have joined forces to create a program that simultaneously admits students to both institutions to facilitate the transfer process. Participants in the Pathways to Success Program will be automatically admitted to Coppin State University as juniors after completing an associates degree at the Community College of Baltimore County. They will have access to both institution’s resources and receive a scholarship.

Aviation Education

Elizabeth City State University is partnering with AeroX and Piedmont Flight Training to expand aviation education, diversify the aviation workforce, and establish North Carolina’s dominance in the advanced air mobility market (drones). 

Ultimate Sports

Saint Augustine’s University announced it has formed an HBCU Ultimate team. The team will initially be supported in part by Triangle Ultimate, a community-based nonprofit organization. It will begin competing in tournaments in the spring 2023.

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Fayetteville State University received a $5,800,000 gift from Anonymous Trust, a private foundation located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The gift will be used to bolster student support initiatives. It is the largest single private gift to the university.

North Carolina A&T University received a $23,700,000 grant to create a clean energy workforce training program. The award was part of the American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant and will be used to create STEPS4GROWTH. It is the largest research award the university has received for research. The university was also awarded a four-year $2,300,000 grant from the American Heart Association to work with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill oh methods of improving maternal outcomes among pregnant women who have heart problems. 

Clark Atlanta University received a $10,000,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to establish the National Data Science Alliance envisioned by Dr. Talitha Washington, director of the Atlanta University Center Data Science Initiative. The alliance will include data experts from several HBCUs. It will focus on increasing the number of Blacks in the data science fields, promoting social justice, and exploring methods of using data science to eliminate bias.

Benedict College raised a record-breaking $1,533,445 during its Annual Alumni Fund Campaign. This is the eighth consecutive year an increased fundraising goal has been surpassed.   

Spelman College received $1,000,000 from television sportscaster Charles Barkley. The former NBA star said the impact the institution had on his business partner’s daughter was instrumental in his decision to make the donation. 

The Margaret Walker Center, a museum and archive at Jackson State University received a $650,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation. The funds will help the center expand the preservation and transmission of Black culture in the United States, particularly the history of the civil rights movement. It is named for founder, Dr. Margaret Walker, poet, activist, and English professor.  

Wiley College Department Student Health, Counseling, and Wellness received a $54,000 grant from the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health. The funding will be used to support mental health services. The college intends to host events and excursions in addition to providing traditional counseling and therapy.

Jackson State University received a $50,000 donation from the Charles Schwab Foundation to assist in the creation of the Center of Excellence on Breastfeeding and Early Nutrition. The funding will support statewide maternal, infant, and child health and is anticipated to have a positive impact on Black women in Mississippi.

Alabama Sate University was awarded an additional $40,000 grant from the National Science Foundation to extend its forensic study of coronavirus. The funds will allow students to continue research using postmortem samples.

Cheyney University received a high-power stealth therapeutic laser from Coach William “Billy” Joe and Dr. Bruce Coren. The device will help shorten the recovery times for injured athletes. Coach Joe, a former professional football player, launched his coaching career with the Cheyney Wolves in 1972.  Dr. Coren acted on behalf of his father, who had been a colleague of Coach Joe at Cheyney. 

Howard University’s  Cathy Hughes School of Communications and Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts will be beneficiaries of the newly created Walt Disney Company’s Disney Storytellers Fund. The fund will support journalistic and artistic projects focused on storytelling. 

Elizabeth City State University was awarded $76,150 from Sentara Healthcare. The award will be used to support a year-long wellness initiative. A series of events are planned to assist individuals in wellness awareness and will include resources to help the community take charge of their physical and mental health as they recover from the pandemic. 

Stillman College announced, Metz Culinary Management, its campus food service provider donated $10,000 to help fund the expansion of the institution’s community garden. The garden will grow collard greens that will be used at the campus cafeteria and distributed locally to help combat food insecurity in the area.

Norfolk State University received $5,000 from the Virginia Counselors Association and the Virginia Counselors Association Foundation to help the institution cover the cost of accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs. This accreditation is the gold standard in the counseling profession. 

Claflin University received several gifts including a  $550,000 from the Charles and Melanie Winton Foundation to support STEM scholarships, $500,000 from Bank of America to support the university’s Center for Social Justice and its Pathways from Prison programs, $18,000,000 from the US Department of Agriculture to support construction of a student activity center, and a grant of $109,618 per year for five years from the US Economic Development Administration's (EDA) University Center Economic Development Program to establish a regional center on campus.

North Carolina A&T State University College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences announced Dr. Shengmin Sang, distinguished professor of functional foods and human health, was awarded a four-year $2,650,000 grant to study the connection between dietary flavonoids and chronic disease prevention. The grant was awarded by the National Institutes of Health through its National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive Kidney Diseases.

Jackson State University Coach Deion Sanders will donate half his salary to pay for updates to the university’s sports facilities.  Recent celebrity donors include Ja Rule and  Sean Combs.

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The RW Jones Agency sponsored a dinner for HBCU presidents as part of a Public Relations Society of America higher education conference. Attendees included Stillman College President Dr. Cynthia Warrick, Claflin University President Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, Dr. Ernest C. McNealey, president of Allen University, Dr. Carmen Walters, president of Tougaloo College, Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis president of Benedict College and Dr. Logan Hampton, president of Lane College.

The NCAA named Dr. Javaune Adams-Gaston, president of Norfolk State University, an ex-officio of its board of governors.

Dr. Felecia M. Nave, president of Alcorn State University, was named one of the 10 Most Successful Businesswomen to Watch by CIO Views Magazine. 

Professor Umar Muhammad of Saint Augustine’s University was named to the Durham Sports Commission Board of Directors. Professor Muhammad is the founder of Sports Consulting and a faculty athletic representative at the university.

Dr. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, recently received the 2022 W. Montague Cobb Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented during the National Medical Association Convention and Scientific Assembly in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Tuskegee University awarded the first Helping Hands and Heart Award to alumna Ms. Dorothy Maye Gaithers. The inaugural award recognizes her decades of support for students pursuing degrees in social work. Ms. Gaithers graduated from Tuskegee in 1944.

Southern University at Shreveport’s Director of the Small Business Development Center, Darrin Dixon was nominated for the Top Business Professional of the Year Award by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Dixon established the Small, Women, and Minority-Owned Business Incubator. He has been active in his community and instrumental in winning several grants that support small business development. 

Howard University’s Howard Magazine was a winner at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education Circle of Excellence (CASE) Awards. The magazine won the silver award in the alumni/general interest category and a gold award for publishing improvement.

Johnson C. Smith University Professor Dr. Ying Bai presented his paper the use of an adapted neuro fuzzy interface system that could improve the calibration accuracy of modeless robots at the 2022 Symposium on Power Electronics, Electrical Drives, Automation and Motion (SPEEDAM) conference in Sorrento, Italy.

Claflin University unveiled a monument honoring veteran women. Retired Brigadier General Twanda E.Young, a Claflin alumna and Retired Army Colonel Alexander Conyers, president of South Carolina State University, attended the ceremony. It is the first monument dedicated to honoring veteran women to be erected at an HBCU.

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Jackson State University Division of University Communications won four 2022 dotCOMM Awards: a Platinum Award and a Gold Award in the category events, a Gold Award in the inspirational category, and an honorable mention in the entertainment category.

The Virginia Humanities awarded HBCU Scholars Fellowships to fund research of scholars affiliated with HBCUs in the State of Virginia. Professor Ima Hicks off Virginia Union University, Professor Janira Teague of Norfolk State University, and Professor Derrick Lanois of Norfolk State University received fellowships.

The Wall Street Journal featured an article on Mr. Greg Robinson, the HBCU alumnus and NASA engineer credited with making the James Webb telescope work. The project was over a decade behind schedule and had exceeded its budget by 9,000,000,000 when he took the helm. The telescope’s first full-color images were recently broadcast by NASA to worldwide acclaim. Mr. Robinson attended Virginia Union University and Howard University. 

The Plug featured an article on a lab conducting astrobotany research at Winston-Salem State University. The lab is conducting research in partnership with NASA to find ways to grow plants in stressful environments including those that simulate conditions in outer space. 

Station WABE featured an interview with Dr. Chantale Branson, assistant professor of neurology at Morehouse School of Medicine. Dr. Branson spoke on Parkinson’s Disease and the African American Community.

Maryland Public Television (MPT) conducted interviews with several local HBCU presidents in advance of its third annual HBCU Week. The interviews with the presidents of Bowie State University, Morgan State University, University of the District of Columbia, and Coppin State University are available on Youtube. 

The New York Times published an article on the history of art programs at HBCUs. The article focused on recent efforts to restore a studio arts major to the Atlanta University Center, a consortium comprised of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Spelman College.

A US News and Work Report article on selecting a college included comments from Jarvis Christian University Vice President For Enrollment Management and Retention Darrin Q. Rankin and Claflin University Assistant Director of Admissions Paula Payton.

The Los Angeles Sentinel featured an article on Dillard University President Dr. Rochelle Ford’s plans for her presidency. Dr. Ford’s focus is on shoring up the institution’s infrastructure, retaining and fortifying faculty, and securing financing to support current and future programs.

HBCU Sports tweeted congratulations to Livingstone College upon the completion of renovation of their sports stadium.

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📌 Pinned

Event: Supporting Gen Z Students and Increasing Your School's Revenue on a Tight Budget

Date: On-Demand

Location: Online

Information: Details

Event: Minority-Owned Business Forum

Date: September 13, 2022

Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Information: Registration

Event: 2022 National HBCU Week Conference 

Date: September 20-23, 2022

Location: Virtual

Information: Registration

Event: Women Who Lead

Date: September 22, 2022

Location: Sandy Springs, Georgia

Information: Registration

 Event: TRACS Annual Conference

Date: October 26-28, 2022

Location: Orlando, Florida

Information: Additional Details

Event: APLU Annual Meeting

Date: November 6-8, 2022

Location: Denver, Colorado

Information: Additional Details

Event: AABHE & IABHE National Symposium 2022

Date: November 13-14, 2022

Location: Plainfield, Indiana

Information: Registration

Event: Council for Adult and Experiential Learning Annual Conference 

Date: November 16-18, 2022

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Information: Registration

Event: The 47^th Annual ASHE Conference

Date: November 16-19, 2022

Location: Las Vegas, Nevada

Information: Draft of Agenda

Event: Virtual 2022 FSA Training Conference

Date: November 29-December 2, 2022

Location: Virtual

Information: Additional Details

Event: SACSCOC Annual Conference

Date: December 3-6, 2022

Location: Virtual

Information: Additional Details

Event: MSCHE Annual Conference

Date: December 7-9, 2022

Location: Philadelphia, PA.

Information: Additional Details

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