Campus News - Page 53

Johnson C. Smith University Celebrates Homecoming & Tackles Accreditation Issue

Written by Lexx Thornton This is Homecoming Week for Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). Many alumni are expected to return to campus to reminisce about their college days. Leaders hope the graduates will say they will continue to support their alma mater. President Dr. Valerie Kinloch has been in charge since August 2023. She is a graduate of Johnson C. Smith University and is looking forward to this year’s homecoming.  “It’s an exciting time to be a Golden Bull.” Dr. Kinloch said.  Kinloch is looking forward to Saturday’s football game against Bluefield State University. She is proud of what the

Trump Boosts HBCU Funding While Cutting HSI Grants

By David Nevins On Sept. 15, President Trump’s administration announced a major shift in federal education funding by redirecting nearly $500 million toward Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and tribal colleges. However, this move came alongside deep cuts to other minority-serving institutions, especially those serving large Hispanic student populations. What are the facts related to these two seemingly diametrically opposed policies of the Trump administration? Q: Is this a one-time increase to HBCUs or a long-term increase, and how much is the increase? The Trump administration’s $500 million boost to HBCUs and tribal colleges is a one-time discretionary investment, not a permanent increase. It represents a 48% funding

MacKenzie Scott Donates $70M to Support Tennessee HBCUs

Courtesy of Fisk University Three private, historically Black colleges and universities in Tennessee will benefit from a $70 million donation from philanthropist billionaire MacKenzie Scott. Scott, who was previously married to Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, donated the money to the United Negro College Fund. The national nonprofit helps private, historically Black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, bolster their academics and keep their tuitions affordable. Scott’s donation will go into a pooled endowment fund for 37 private HBCUs nationwide, including Fisk University in Nashville, Lane College in Jackson and LeMonyne-Owen College in Memphis. Endowments at HBCUs trail those at non-HBCUs by

HBCUs, African Universities Forge Global Education Ties

African higher education institutions and historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States are exploring ways to advance sustainable partnerships, a development that has resulted in a pledge to strengthen academic ties, joint and dual degree programmes and faculty exchanges. The collaboration will also explore innovative financing models to make HBCU education more accessible by providing financing options, including loans for African students. An online symposium to explore partnerships between African universities and HBCUs, including harnessing the contribution of the academic diaspora, was held on 17 September. The symposium was held by the Association of African Universities (AAU), in partnership

Morehouse Rises to No. 3 in 2026 Best HBCU Rankings

Morehouse College has ascended to the No. 3 position among Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report Best College rankings, advancing from No. 5 last year. The national recognition comes as Morehouse experienced a record 6,217 applications for the Class of 2029. With demand at an all-time high, the College’s admittance rate dropped to 33%, compared to 44% in 2024 and 52% in 2023, while the incoming classes’ average GPA continues to rise from 3.55 in 2023 to 3.56 in 2024 to a current 3.6 for Fall 2025. Additional national rankings for Morehouse

FAFSA Opens Early to Boost College Financial Aid Access

By Jessica Deckler The U.S. Department of Education opened the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form on Wednesday — one week before the anticipated Oct. 1 launch date. The early start may help more students gain college access, experts say. Completing the FAFSA is the only way to tap federal aid money for higher education, including federal student loans, work-study and grants. “Given the previous glitches, delays, and confusion, having the FAFSA delivered not only on time but early is a huge win,” said Rick Castellano, a spokesperson for Sallie Mae. In part because of previous complications with the new form, which initially launched in late December 2023 after

FAMU Approves 15% Out-of-State Tuition Hike for 2026

Written By Lexx Thornton In the fall 2026 semester, Florida A&M University’s out-of-state students can expect to see an increase in their tuition fees as FAMU makes efforts to be in compliance with the Florida Board of Governors.   The FAMU Board of Trustees unanimously voted Sept. 18 in the Grand Ballroom on campus to approve a 15% increase in out-of-state tuition fees for non-resident undergraduate, graduate, and law school students next fall.  The action of increasing out-of-state fees comes as a directive from the Board of Governors, which met on June 18 and unanimously voted in support of having universities

TSU Students Escort Far-Right “Fearless Debaters” Off Campus

This week, Tennessee State University students were met with a surprise on their walk to class. On Tuesday, the Nashville HBCU reported that a group of people, unaffiliated with the university, appeared on campus around 3 pm without prior notice. The group known as “Fearless Debaters,” reportedly appeared on TSU’s campus with filming equipment, “Make America Great Again” hats, and signs that read “DEI should be illegal” and “deport all illegals now.” According to the group, TSU was the first HBCU on their “fearless tour,” which aims “to bring honest conversation and open debate back to America’s college campuses,” and

Howard University Tops 2026 Rankings for Social Mobility

U.S. News and World Report released its 2026 Best Colleges rankings Sept. 23, recognizing Howard University as the No. 1 national university for social mobility in the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) region. Among the national universities in the social mobility category, Howard ranked No. 17 overall and was also the top historically Black college or university (HBCU). The university also garnered identical recognition in the undergraduate teaching programs category among national universities, topping all other institutions in the DMV and other HBCUs. “Howard University continues to model inclusive academic excellence,” said Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA, Howard’s interim president, president

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