Four strategic areas of focus identified to strengthen leadership and effectiveness at HBCUs
Washington, DC, UNCF today released a report examining presidential tenure at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), a critical topic in the shifting educational landscape.
The report, Stable Leadership: The Foundation of HBCU Success, from UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building (ICB), explores why presidential tenure at HBCUs is far more than a staff concern—it is central for institutional resilience, transformation and growth. The report concludes that if HBCUs are to sustain their mission, they must also sustain their leaders.
According to the American Council on Education’s 2023 American College President report, the average college president serves 5.9 years—a figure that has slowly declined since 2006.
ICB’s analysis of two- and four-year public and private HBCUs shows that HBCU presidents serve fewer years on average than predominantly White institutions (PWIs)—an average of 4.22 years (50.6 months). Private HBCU presidents serve an average of 4.42 years (53 months), while public HBCU presidents’ tenure averages 4 years (48 months).
Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough, executive vice president, research and member engagement, UNCF, described the situation as “a perilous place in terms of leadership” for HBCUs. “[The report is] more than an analysis. It is a call to action,” he said. “To thrive, HBCUs need enduring, consistent presidential leadership. Achieving this requires reimagining selection processes, rethinking support systems and recommitting to the retention of visionary and innovative leaders.”
More than a decade ago, Dr. Kimbrough, then a college president at UNCF-member institutions Dillard University and Philander Smith University as well as interim president at Talladega College, raised the alarm in a 2014 report. Today, the trend persists.
“If we want HBCUs to not only survive but thrive, we must treat leadership sustainability as a strategic necessity,” said Aja Johnson, senior program manager, executive leadership, ICB, UNCF, and author of the report. “HBCUs continue to be symbols of longstanding hope and resilience. Sustained support for their leadership is essential to these institutions’ success and to preserving their legacy.”
The report provides four strategic areas of focus as the path forward to strengthen leadership stability and effectiveness at HBCUs, including supporting presidents, cabinets and boards through collaborative development.
The report recommends four areas of focus for HBCU leadership:
