Campus News - Page 3

Morehouse School of Medicine celebrates 50 years, affirms health equity amid federal anti-DEI efforts

By Meimei Xu Morehouse School of Medicine celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Georgia State Capitol Thursday. The milestone comes amid the federal government’s executive orders against diversity, equity, and inclusion policies across the country. Morehouse School of Medicine is one of the only historically Black medical institutions in the country. Valerie Montgomery Rice, the president and CEO of Morehouse School of Medicine, said the school was founded on the mission of diversifying Georgia’s health care workforce. “Diversity, equity, inclusion as it relates to health is not a political term. When we talk about health equity at Morehouse School of

HBCU Student Awarded Stipend for Preserving University’s Archives

Courtesy of Lincoln University Lincoln University has proudly announced that finance student Travis Primrose has received the Denny’s and Getty Images Hungry for Education Stipend. The stipend, valued at $500, is part of a broader initiative under the HBCU Photo Archive Grants Program, which aims to support the digitization of HBCU archives and provide educational opportunities for students across the United States. Primrose has made significant strides in preserving Lincoln University’s historical records while working with the university’s Special Collections & Archives. His efforts in digitizing photographs have illuminated the rich legacy of black excellence that has emerged from Lincoln University over

HBCU Pledge Offers Guaranteed Admission and Tuition Freeze for In-State Students

Courtesy of Virginia State University In a bold move to transform the landscape of higher education in West Virginia, West Virginia State University has unveiled the Yellow Jacket Pledge. The innovative program prioritizes access, affordability, and career readiness to ensure student success. The initiative was announced to the WVSU Board of Governors and will take effect in the fall 2025 semester. “With The Yellow Jacket Pledge, West Virginia State University is setting the standard for access, affordability, and career readiness for higher education in West Virginia,” said WVSU President Ericke S. Cage. “We know that higher education must change to meet

Legislation Would Introduce Grant Program for California Black-Serving Institutions

California Assemblymember Mike A. Gipson introduced The Designation of California Black-Serving Institutions Grant Program (AB 335), a bill that builds on the foundation of the state’s new recognition of Black-Serving institutions. As of Jan.1, to qualify as a California Black-Serving institution (BSI), an institution must enroll 1,500 Black students, or 10% of the total student population must be Black. Gipson says California becoming the nation’s first state to recognize Black-Serving institutions was a critical first step, but recognition alone is not enough. “AB 335 builds on that foundation by ensuring these institutions receive the funding and resources necessary to enhance their academic

‘Education will continue’: HBCU preparing for possible cap of federal funds

By Jennifer Roberts Concerns are being raised about funding for higher education campuses. This comes as the White House continues efforts to cut costs that could be critical for college campuses. One Historically Black College and University is already preparing in the event some funds are no longer an option. Patrick Martin, provost and chief academic and research officer at Johnson C. Smith University, said the HBCU receives around $10 million annually from federal research and academic support grants. “That excludes student support that would come from federal financial aid,” Martin said. Martin says the campus has benefited from federal dollars. “We have developed an innovative and

FICO targets Drake State, other HBCUs for Analytics Challenge

Courtesy of Drake State Community and Technical College Drake State Community and Technical College is off to a fast start in 2025, claiming two firsts in its field during the month of January. Drake State received over $1.5 million from the U.S. Department of Labor as part of its latest round of Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants, becoming the first institution in the state to receive the award. On the heels of that announcement, Drake State revealed it had been added to Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO)’s Analytics Challenge Program, becoming the first community college to participate. Drake State joins three other Historically Black

HBCUs In Jeopardy of Losing Funding for Black Cultural Studies

By April Ryan “This is only the beginning of a long fight,” according to Democratic North Carolina Congresswoman Alma Adams. She is addressing the Executive Order to pause federal loans and grants. There is an overwhelming concern in the Historically Black College and University community that many key programs focused on race and equity will be impacted. Adams, a ranking member of a House Subcommittee on Higher Education and the Founder and Co-Chair of the Bicameral HBCU Caucus, issued a statement to Black Press USA once a federal judge temporarily blocked President Trump’s funding freeze. Adams, whose state houses 11 HBCUs, the

HBCU set to drop six programs due to lack of resources

By Stephen J. Gaither Talladega College made headlines last year when it shelved its gymnastics team – the second in HBCU history – after one season. Apparently that was the tip of the iceberg. The Alabama-based HBCU is dropping several sports due to lack of resources. Men’s volleyball, acrobatics and tumbling, men’s and women’s golf, and men’s and women’s indoor track programs are all being discontinued by the fall semester. “In making these tough decisions, it is essential to note that a feasibility study was not conducted before establishing these programs,” the school stated in a release. “The decision to

DEI rollback forces West Virginia HBCU to review programs

By Stephen J. Gaither West Virginia State, a predominately white HBCU, is now dealing with the ramifications of Gov. Patrick Morrisey’s anti-DEI decree. The Institute, WV-based HBCU says it is reviewing its programs to make sure that Morrisey’s anti-diversity, equity and inclusion executive order is being followed. “Like all institutions of higher education in West Virginia, we are assessing our institution to ensure that we are in compliance with both the executive orders issued by Gov. Morrisey and the latest requirements issued by the federal government,” WVSU President Ericke S. Cage told West Virginia Watch. West Virginia State University (WVSU),

What Dr. Ibram Kendi’s Appointment to Howard Means for HBCUs—and Black Scholarship

By Crystal A. deGregory Supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) welcomed Howard University’s announcement late last week of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s appointmentDr. Crystal A. deGregory as a history professor and director of the Howard Institute for Advanced Study. Kendi, a historian and antiracist activist, has made waves since publishing Stamped from the Beginning, which won the 2016 National Book Award for Nonfiction. Most recently, he was the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, where he founded the Center for Antiracist Research under a five-year charter in 2020.  With Kendi’s departure comes news that the center’s