As summer vacation draws to an end, thousands of college students are preparing to begin another year in the classroom.
Studies show that a large portion of African-American college students are bypassing Historically Black Universities and Colleges (HBCUs) and instead are enrolling in majority White institutions.
Only 20 percent of the nation’s Black college students attend the nation’s 105 HBCUs.
Thus, many of these schools are struggling financially as they fight through the obstacles facing them and define plans to market themselves and reverse the shortfall of students enrolled at them.
Morris Brown and St. Paul’s Colleges are two examples of HBCUs which have closed their doors. Norfolk State University, Virginia’s largest HBCU, noting a shortfall in projected freshmen student enrollment, may be forced to cut back on faculty seats and operations to adjust.
Alphonzo W. Knight, Sr. is a retired architectural engineer, college educator and administrator, who has served at his alma maters, Hampton University and Old Dominion University, working with alumni and students.
He said there are various reasons for HBCU enrollment woes, including lack of knowledge of, or respect for, the schools by parents and high school counselors who are tasked with helping high schoolers prepare and apply for college during their junior and senior years.
Further, he said, the reduction in the number of college-ready Black students attending many of the urban schools, as well as the soaring cost of post high school education via student loans have taken their toll.
Knight has made a contribution he thinks will aid in addressing and helping to resolve these issues. 
Recently, he published a book “Historically Black Colleges and Universities: What You Should Know,” (341 pages, Xlibris Publication).
The book gives a history, historical information on locations, programs, enrollment, size and endowment, and notable graduates of the 105 HBCUs around the nation.
“I hope to have one of the books in every public and private high school around this country,” said Knight, who currently lives in Hampton. “Many high school counselors do not know about HBCUs, what they have to offer, the cost of attending them, and the fine job they do educating people for life and careers.
“If they read about these schools and their history and their successes, counselors and parents, I think, would be more willing to recommend to students to enroll in them” said Knight. “But we have to overcome the negative perceptions and rumors about HBCUs and the quality of the programs they offer and the students who attend them.”
Knight was also on the Board of Directors of CASE – Community Alliance for Special Education – which exposed him to most of the nation’s traditionally White colleges and universities. He has also visited all but two of the HBCUs. read more
