SECTOR NEWS
Why more college students, athletes are committing to HBCUs
As colleges overall saw a nearly 3% dip in enrollment this spring compared to last year, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, HBCUs are exploding in popularity both in classrooms and on the court.
Numbers show the impact. Morgan State University reported nearly 15,000 undergraduate applications — an all-time high and a 58.5% increase compared to 2019. Howard University said that for a third straight year, it experienced a double-digit increase in applications. (ABC News)
Tech companies made big pledges to fight racism last year — here’s how they’re doing so far
Last June, social media feeds became flooded with corporate statements about how companies would promote racial equity within and beyond their workforce. The commitments came after the police murder of George Floyd sparked protests around the country.
One year after those initial statements, many tech companies seem to have met several of their initial goals while promising to expand their commitments to diversity and inclusion efforts and racial justice causes. (CNBC)
Three reasons why low HBCU graduation rates are a myth that harms Black schools
It’s been said over time that historically Black colleges and universities have low graduation rates. Professor and writer Ivory Toldson said that’s often not only a mis-read of statistics, but an unfair and biased assessment of HBCUs. (Kera News)
US Navy launches HBCU research, fellowship initiative
The Department of the Navy’s (DoN) Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions (HBCU/MI) Program—located at the Office of Naval Research (ONR)—is launching several major initiatives to increase student participation in naval internships and opportunities for faculty to conduct naval-relevant research.
“By expanding our outreach to a greater diversity of student populations, the DoN will strengthen existing partnerships, build new ones and better meet the challenges facing the Naval Research and Development Establishment,” said Frederick J. Stefany, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for Research, Development and Acquisition. “The HBCU/MI Program will help grow the acquisition workforce the nation needs to compete globally.” (United States Navy)
INDUSTRY NEWS
House Reps. press for help on food insecurity, SNAP benefits for college students (University Business)
Texas universities got more state funding this year than they anticipated (Texas Tribune)
Non-white students are majority of Amherst’s admitted class (Inside Higher Ed)
Louisiana legislature shifts money for higher education, healthcare to transportation projects (Louisiana Illuminator)
