The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education

Clayton State University Selects Corrie Fountain to Serve as Interim Provost

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve at Clayton State in this interim capacity, and I hope that my contributions will aid in the success of its students, faculty and staff," said Dr. Fountain, currently the associate provost for faculty affairs at Georgia State University.

Lawrence P. Ward Named Seventh President of the University of Hartford

“In my experience, leading with personal authenticity and humility, as well as with vision and strategy, builds credibility, increases trust, and strengthens people’s willingness to work well together," said Dr. Ward. "That’s how I will approach my presidency at UHart."

Three Black Women Appointed Deans of University Law Schools

The new law school deans are Marcilynn Burke at Tulane University in New Orleans, LaVonda Reed at the University of Baltimore, and Franita Tolson at the University of Southern California.

Features

Research & Studies

Study Discovers Link Between Midlife Exposure to Racism and Risk of Dementia

Scholars at the University of Georgia, the University of Iowa, and Wake Forest University, have found an increased exposure to racial discrimination during midlife results in an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and dementia later in life.

UCLA Study Reveals Black Americans are More Likely to Die from “Deaths of Despair” Than White Americans

Deaths among Black Americans that are related to mental-health concerns, such as drug and alcohol abuse or suicide, have tripled over the past decade. Although White Americans deaths of despair mortality rate was double that of Black Americans in 2013, African Americans are now more likely to experience a mental-health related death than their White peers.

Statistic of the Week

47.1%
Percentage of all African Americans ages 20-21 who were enrolled in school in 2022.
54.6%
Percentage of all White Americans ages 20-21 who were enrolled in school in 2022.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

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Quote of the Week

“The Black reparations movement in the U.S. is growing because it has become apparent that the U.S. political and corporate elites have retreated from a commitment to racial justice.”

Sundiata Keita Cha-Jua,

professor of history and of African American studies at the University of Illinois

JBHE Archives

All Recent Posts

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Three Black Leaders Appointed to Diversity Positions at Colleges and Universities

The three scholars appointed to admininstraive positions relating to diversity are Marsha McGriff at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, JeffriAnne Wilder at Oberlin College in Ohio, and Branden Delk at Illinois state University.

Remembering the Impact of Black Women on College Basketball

As former college basketball players, we are grateful that more eyes are watching, respecting and enjoying women’s college basketball. However, we are equally troubled by the manner in which the history of women’s basketball has been inaccurately represented during the Caitlin Clark craze.

Trinity College President Joanne Berger-Sweeney Announces Retirement

In 2014, Dr. Berger-Sweeney became the first African American and first woman president of Trinity College since its founding in 1823. Over the past decade, the college has experienced growth in enrollment and graduation rates, hired more diverse faculty, and improved campus infrastructure.

Study Discovers Link Between Midlife Exposure to Racism and Risk of Dementia

Scholars at the University of Georgia, the University of Iowa, and Wake Forest University, have found an increased exposure to racial discrimination during midlife results in an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and dementia later in life.

Josie Brown Named Dean of University of Hartford College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Brown currently serves as a professor of English and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Point Park University, where she has taught courses on African American, Caribbean, and Ethnic American literature for the past two decades.

UCLA Study Reveals Black Americans are More Likely to Die from “Deaths of Despair” Than White Americans

Deaths among Black Americans that are related to mental-health concerns, such as drug and alcohol abuse or suicide, have tripled over the past decade. Although White Americans deaths of despair mortality rate was double that of Black Americans in 2013, African Americans are now more likely to experience a mental-health related death than their White peers.

Kamau Siwatu to Lead the Texas Tech University College of Education

Dr. Siwatu is a professor of educational psychology who has taught at Texas Tech University for nearly 20 years. Earlier this year, he was appointed interim associate dean for academic affairs.

Study Uncovers Racial Disparities in Postpartum Depression Treatment

Although there were no disparities found in the diagnosis of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder among postpartum mothers, White women were significantly more likely to receive mental health treatment than Black women and women from other racial groups.

Austin Agho to Transition from Old Dominion University Provost to Chief Integration Officer

Dr. Agho will transition to the role of senior advisor to the president and chief integration officer for Old Dominion University on July 1. Over the next two years, he will oversee the university's merger with Eastern Virginia Medical School.

In Memoriam: June Jackson Christmas, 1924-2023

A longtime clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, Dr. Christmas also taught behavioral science at the City University of New York School of Medicine and was a professor of mental health policy at the Graduate School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Tuskegee University Flight School Receives $6.7 Million in Federal Funding

With a $6.7 million investment from the federal government, Tuskegee University will launch a new bachelor's degree in aviation science. The program will teach students about aviation science and technology and provide them with flight school training.

Three African Americans Appointed to University Faculty Positions

The faculty appointments are Dexter Blackman at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Stephanie Henderson at Alcorn State University in Mississippi, and Yolanda Pierce at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Virginia State University Approved to Launch Master’s Degree in Data Analytics

The master's degree in data analytics will prepare students to use data to make strategic technology and business decisions. The new degree program will be the 14th established master's degree at Virginia State University.

Samuel Frimpong Honored for Outstanding Contributions to Mineral Industry Education

Dr. Frimpong was honored by the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration with the 2024 Mineral Industry Education Award. He currently serves as a professor of mineral engineering, the Robert H. Quenon Endowed Chair, and vice provost for graduate education at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

North Carolina A&T State University Establishes Doctorate in Pharmacy Pathway Program

The Early Assurance Program will provide North Carolina A&T University students who are interested in pursuing a doctorate in pharmacy with the opportunity for assured admission to the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy.

Five African Americans Appointed to Administrative Positions in Higher Education

The appointments are Courtney Phillips at Louisiana State University, Pamela Richardson at Hampton University, Shani Crayton at Alabama State University, James Ham at North Carolina Central University, and Caroline Ebanks at Columbia University.

In Memoriam: Faith Ringgold, 1930-2024

Ringgold was a mixed media artist, best known for her narrative quilts which centered around African American and women's representation. She was a professor emerita of art with the University of California, San Diego where she taught for 15 years.

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.

In Memoriam: Roscoe Hightower Jr., 1966-2024

Dr. Hightower was a professor of marketing at his alma mater, historically Black Florida A&M University, where he taught for over two decades. He also served the university as the Centennial Eminent Scholar Chair and Professor of Marketing and Facility Management.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

In Memoriam: O. Jerome Green, 1954-2024

President of historically Black Shorter College O. Jerome Green passed way unexpectedly on April 8. Since he became president in 2012, the college has experienced record-breaking enrollment and graduation rates, created new academic programs, and established the STEM Center for Academic Excellence.

Federal Report Uncovers Lack of Faculty Diversity and Delay in Federal Discrimination Complaint Processing

In addition to a lack of diversity in higher education faculty, the report revealed a frequent delay by the Department of Education when referring discrimination complaints to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Christopher Span Appointed Dean of Rutgers University Graduate School of Education

Dr. Span, professor of education policy, organization, and leadership at the University of Illinois, is a scholar of African American educational history. He has experience in both academic and administrative leadership positions.

All Recent Posts

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Three Black Leaders Appointed to Diversity Positions at Colleges and Universities

The three scholars appointed to admininstraive positions relating to diversity are Marsha McGriff at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, JeffriAnne Wilder at Oberlin College in Ohio, and Branden Delk at Illinois state University.

Remembering the Impact of Black Women on College Basketball

As former college basketball players, we are grateful that more eyes are watching, respecting and enjoying women’s college basketball. However, we are equally troubled by the manner in which the history of women’s basketball has been inaccurately represented during the Caitlin Clark craze.

Trinity College President Joanne Berger-Sweeney Announces Retirement

In 2014, Dr. Berger-Sweeney became the first African American and first woman president of Trinity College since its founding in 1823. Over the past decade, the college has experienced growth in enrollment and graduation rates, hired more diverse faculty, and improved campus infrastructure.

Study Discovers Link Between Midlife Exposure to Racism and Risk of Dementia

Scholars at the University of Georgia, the University of Iowa, and Wake Forest University, have found an increased exposure to racial discrimination during midlife results in an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease and dementia later in life.

Josie Brown Named Dean of University of Hartford College of Arts and Sciences

Dr. Brown currently serves as a professor of English and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Point Park University, where she has taught courses on African American, Caribbean, and Ethnic American literature for the past two decades.

UCLA Study Reveals Black Americans are More Likely to Die from “Deaths of Despair” Than White Americans

Deaths among Black Americans that are related to mental-health concerns, such as drug and alcohol abuse or suicide, have tripled over the past decade. Although White Americans deaths of despair mortality rate was double that of Black Americans in 2013, African Americans are now more likely to experience a mental-health related death than their White peers.

Kamau Siwatu to Lead the Texas Tech University College of Education

Dr. Siwatu is a professor of educational psychology who has taught at Texas Tech University for nearly 20 years. Earlier this year, he was appointed interim associate dean for academic affairs.

Study Uncovers Racial Disparities in Postpartum Depression Treatment

Although there were no disparities found in the diagnosis of perinatal mood and anxiety disorder among postpartum mothers, White women were significantly more likely to receive mental health treatment than Black women and women from other racial groups.

Austin Agho to Transition from Old Dominion University Provost to Chief Integration Officer

Dr. Agho will transition to the role of senior advisor to the president and chief integration officer for Old Dominion University on July 1. Over the next two years, he will oversee the university's merger with Eastern Virginia Medical School.

In Memoriam: June Jackson Christmas, 1924-2023

A longtime clinical professor of psychiatry at Columbia University, Dr. Christmas also taught behavioral science at the City University of New York School of Medicine and was a professor of mental health policy at the Graduate School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts.

Tuskegee University Flight School Receives $6.7 Million in Federal Funding

With a $6.7 million investment from the federal government, Tuskegee University will launch a new bachelor's degree in aviation science. The program will teach students about aviation science and technology and provide them with flight school training.

Three African Americans Appointed to University Faculty Positions

The faculty appointments are Dexter Blackman at Morgan State University in Baltimore, Stephanie Henderson at Alcorn State University in Mississippi, and Yolanda Pierce at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

Virginia State University Approved to Launch Master’s Degree in Data Analytics

The master's degree in data analytics will prepare students to use data to make strategic technology and business decisions. The new degree program will be the 14th established master's degree at Virginia State University.

Samuel Frimpong Honored for Outstanding Contributions to Mineral Industry Education

Dr. Frimpong was honored by the Society of Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration with the 2024 Mineral Industry Education Award. He currently serves as a professor of mineral engineering, the Robert H. Quenon Endowed Chair, and vice provost for graduate education at Missouri University of Science and Technology.

North Carolina A&T State University Establishes Doctorate in Pharmacy Pathway Program

The Early Assurance Program will provide North Carolina A&T University students who are interested in pursuing a doctorate in pharmacy with the opportunity for assured admission to the University of North Carolina Eshelman School of Pharmacy.

Five African Americans Appointed to Administrative Positions in Higher Education

The appointments are Courtney Phillips at Louisiana State University, Pamela Richardson at Hampton University, Shani Crayton at Alabama State University, James Ham at North Carolina Central University, and Caroline Ebanks at Columbia University.

In Memoriam: Faith Ringgold, 1930-2024

Ringgold was a mixed media artist, best known for her narrative quilts which centered around African American and women's representation. She was a professor emerita of art with the University of California, San Diego where she taught for 15 years.

Recent Books of Interest to African American Scholars

The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education regularly publishes a list of new books that may be of interest to our readers. The books included are on a wide variety of subjects and present many different points of view.

Online Articles That May Be of Interest to JBHE Readers

Each week, JBHE will provide links to online articles that may be of interest to our readers. Here are this week’s selections.