In spite of fewer resources compared to the nation’s other majority institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities graduate impressive number of majors in education and in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Responding to critics who question the relevancy of HBCUs and whether they can embrace the culture of diversity they have demanded of others, a panel of HBCU presidents meeting at Tennessee State University on March 24th, said HBCUs continue to play a key role in the nation’s higher education landscape and have become more diverse in student population, faculty and staff.
“Those raising questions about the relevancy of HBCUs have no case to back their claim,” said President Glenda Baskin Glover, of TSU, in an opening statement, adding that the question should be about how HBCUs have survived with limited resources and yet produce outstanding graduates.
“How can HBCU’s become a model for other institutions by operating with limited resources and yet we have survived with a high level of performance by putting out more than 5 percent of all graduates in the nation annually? That should be the question,” Dr. Glover asserted.
The summit brought together participants from institutions and organizations across the country including Clark Atlanta University, Indiana University, Xavier University, Alabama A&M University, Vanderbilt University, Fisk University, and Florida A&M University.
