Opportunities and Challenges at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Opportunities and Challenges at Historically Black Colleges and Universities grapples with the strengths and challenges that historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) face as the nation's demographics change. Gasman and Commodore with their contributors focus the role HBCUs play in populating and creating pipelines for faculty of color, college administrators of color, and graduate students of color. They also highlight ways in which HBCUs can address the areas of retention, alumni giving, and media relations. Illuminating the major topics that are pertinent to HBCUs and their place in American society, they range from the growing diversity on HBCU campuses to class and elitism issues to study abroad and honors programs. The authors seek to provide a deeper understanding of many major issues in higher education while focusing on the HBCU context and the commitment of HBCUs to equaling the higher education playing field.

Marybeth Gasman is Professor of Higher Education in the Graduate School of Education, and Director of the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions at the University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Felecia Commodore is a Ph.D. Candidate in the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania, USA. She works as a research assistant at the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions.