Forum 2014College Readiness: Exploring College Options Historically Black Colleges & Universities

Rakiba Mitchell Reynolda Brown

Compiled & Presented By

Rakiba L. Mitchell, MA, LPCSenior School Counselor & Educational

ConsultantCommunications & Media Arts High School

Detroit, Michigan

Reynolda BrownExecutive Director of Admissions

Harris-Stowe UniversitySt. Louis, Missouri"Great souls take advantage of every moment and every opportunity to give happiness to

others through kindness in their thoughts; such souls are willing to overlook weaknesses and mistakes and have the desire to help everyone reach their potential." Innerspace

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Agenda

►EXPLORING THE HBCU OPTION

►A CULTURE►B CHARACTER►C CURRICULUM

Alcorn State University VS Texas Southern University Drumline ChallengeHalf Time Show

WHAT IS THE MEANING OF “HBCU?”

HOW MANY ARE THERE? HOW MANY CAN YOUR NAME?

WHERE ARE THEY LOCATED?

WHEN WERE THEY FOUNDED?

WHY ARE THEY SIGNIFICANT? HISTORICALLY? TO STUDENTS (PARTICULARLY MINORITY

STUDENTS) TO OUR SOCIETY?

Exploring College Options: Historically Black Colleges &

Universities (HBCUs)“The Blacker the College,

the Sweeter the Knowledge”

What does HBCU mean?•HBCU stands for Historically Black Colleges and Universities

•The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” -The White House Initiative on HBCUs http://www.ed.gov/edblogs/whhbcu/one-hundred-and-five-historically-black-colleges-and-universities/

Why Were HBCUs Founded?•HBCUs were established to provide blacks with the opportunity to acquire a quality education during a time when education was considered a privilege mainly for whites•These institutions acted as a support system for those who were afforded the opportunity to attend

Historical Facts & Contributing Factors•Most HBCUs were founded post Civil War (1861-1865) in former slaves

states•After the end of Reconstruction in 1877, former slave-holding states enacted various laws to undermine the equal treatment of African Americans, although the 14th Amendment as well as federal Civil Rights laws enacted during reconstruction were meant to guarantee it. However Southern states contended that the requirement of equality could be met in a manner that kept the races separate. (Separate but Equal)•The oldest HBCU is Cheyney University in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, founded in 1837•Many HBCUs were founded with religious affiliations•Many HBCU’s institutions had titles that originally included the words “normal” and “colored” Ex: Florida A & M University was founded in 1888 as “The State Normal College for Colored Students”•There are 105 HBCUs according to the White House Initiative on HBCUs

Where are the HBCUs?

Map courtesy of www.hbculibraries.com

Courtesy of US Department of Education

The HBCU Cultural Experience

The Black College Option•What is unique about HBCUs? •Why should attending an HBCU be considered a viable post secondary option?•What is the true essence of the Black College Experience?

The 3 C’s•Culture- HBCUs were founded for the purposes of providing a quality education for black students•Character- HBCUs present unique life-changing opportunities and experiences that help to define mind and shape the soul•Curriculum-HBCUs offer specific academic programs as well as comparable academic rigor that will enable students to become equally (if not more) knowledgeable and competitive in an ever-changing global society

CULTURE

The HBCU “Experience”“A half century after Brown vs. Board of Education, 40 years after Lyndon Johnson’s speech endorsing the concept of Affirmative Action, and two years after the Supreme Court upheld racial diversity as a factor in admissions, the approximately 80 HBCUs still enroll more than 10 percent of the African American students in higher education and award close to 20 percent of degrees. These institutions have produced leaders from Thurgood Marshall to Jesse Jackson to Spike Lee. Their step shows, marching bands, and fraternities & sororities have become integral elements of African American culture. It is [common] in black churches and neighborhoods for parents to believe that their children will have better outcomes in black colleges than in mostly white ones because the black schools provided a more nurturing, supportive environment, free or white presumptions that blacks are intellectually inferiors or expectations they should portray the role of hip-hop gangsta.”

–Marybeth Gasman excerpt from Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Charles L. Betsey, editor

Lincoln University Concert ChoirPublished on Oct 17, 2014 This clip of the concert choir performing "I Know I've Been Changed" has gone viral with over 200,000 views and 10,000 shares on Facebook. The choir is directed by Edryn J. Coleman with soloist Shavona Burton. The selection was arranged by Damon H. Dandridge

HBCUs contain some of the most aesthetically beautiful, historic and inviting campuses in higher education.

Bethune Cookman University

North Carolina A & T University

Howard University#1 #2

#3 READ THE COMPLETE LISTING:http://www.complex.com/pop-culture/2011/01/the-20-most-beautiful-historically-black-college-and-university-hbcu-campuses/

The “Yard” is the center of campus and acts as the hosting place for many activities—cookouts, step shows, practices, student org events, studying, filming, etc

Norfolk University, Norfolk Virginia

Bethune Cookman College, Daytona Beach Florida

HBCU Marching Bands especially at football classics are the main event at halftime “Halftime is Game Time”-Drumline

Alcorn State University vs Jackson State University 5th Quarter Battle

CHARACTER

The following are excerpts from “How Black Colleges Empower Black Students: Lessons for Higher Education by Frank W. Hale, Jr.

Cultural Immersion• Since a great percentage of the students who

matriculated at HBCUs came with academic, social, and financial deficiencies, it has been a prevailing philosophy that programs be provided to meet the students where they are…The library, the dormitory, the classroom and all other centers of activity are a part of the educational program, and this total immersion makes a difference.

Self Esteem• One central characteristic of successful individuals is a

positive attitude. Consequently, HBCUs attempt to facilitate success by enriching each student through activities that provided avenues for success. Therefore, participation in athletics, band, choir, clubs, sororities, and fraternities, etc., is essential. Statistics show that students who become a part of the team experience successes and develop self-esteem, which culminates in a positive attitude. Additionally, thee teams’ interactions offer other leadership opportunities that inculcate self-esteem as well.

Additional excerpts from “How Black Colleges Empower Black Students: Lessons for Higher Education by Frank W. Hale, Jr.• Universal InclusionStudents who feel a part of the institution are able to interact comfortably with others facing similar challenges and coming from similar backgrounds. Concomitantly, the presence of classmates, administrators, staff, and faculty who share a common heritage with the student is a source of accelerated maturation. An African American student who has role models, professionals who are also African American, learn that they can do what others of their race have done. The existence of these role models imperative for the success of many African American students at HBCUs.• Individual InteractionThe presence of administrators, faculty, staff, and others who take the time to interact with the student in unstructured events is definitely essential. Any of HBCU graduates relate interactions that opened their eyes to what they were capable of. They were motivated, challenged, and encouraged by a single individual who intervened at a critical time, so they attribute their success to a single individual.• EpilogueAlthough the existence of HBCUs is considered unnecessary by some in today’s society, it should be noted that culturally biased institutions have a place….HBCUs can also provide a quality education; thus they have a place. They are critical to the nation as long as race continues to affect educational opportunity.

African American Fraternities & Sororities Organization Type Founded Institution Symbols

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity 1906 Cornell University

ΑΦΑ

Alpha Kappa Alpha

Sorority 1908 Howard University

ΑΚΑ

Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity 1911 Indiana University

ΚΑΨ

Omega Psi Phi Fraternity 1911 Howard University

ΩΨΦ

Delta Sigma Theta

Sorority 1913 Howard University

ΔΣΘ

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity 1914 Howard University

ΦΒΣ

Zeta Phi Beta Sorority 1920 Howard University

ΖΦΒ

Sigma Gamma Rho

Sorority 1922 Butler University ΣΓΡ

Iota Phi Theta Fraternity 1963 Morgan State University

ΙΦΘ

•Most of the “Divine Nine” (Black Greek Lettered Fraternities & Sororities ) were founded at HBCUs

•Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated, Howard University, 1908•Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, Howard University, 1911•Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, Howard University, 1913•Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity Incorporated, Howard University, 1914•Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated, Howard University, 1920•Iota Phi Theta Fraternity Incorporated, Morgan State University, 1963

The Divine Nine

Howard UniversityMorgan State University

Briana MasonAlpha Kappa Alpha Sorority IncorporatedAlpha ChapterHoward University1-A-14 P.R.I.M.A.C.Y.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Incorporated“Sweet” Alpha Pi ChapterClark Atlanta University2014

Black College Experience: Homecoming

Most HBCUs were founded upon Christian principles and as such adopted mission statements and premises that establish a platform for high moral character and expectations for all students. As a result is not uncommon to find the following practices amongst some HBCUs…

CURFEWS CHURCH SERVICES ORIENTATION CEREMONIES SERVICE LEARNING REQUIREMENTS FRESHMEN RESTRICTIONS VISITOR RESTRICTIONS STRICTER ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS FOR

MEMBERSHIP/SELECTION INTO STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS DRESS CODES DIRECT INACTERACTION BETWEEN FAULTY AND STUDENTS

CURRICULUM

Outstanding FactsHBCU Xavier University is #1 nationally in placing African-Americans into medical school.

Seven of the top eleven producers of African American baccalaureates in engineering were HBCUs, including #1 North Carolina A&T State University .

Eight of the top nine producers of African American baccalaureates in mathematics and statistics were HBCUs: #1 Morehouse College, #2 South Carolina State University #3 Alabama State University, #3 Spelman College, #5Southern University and A&M College, #6 Tennessee State University, #7 Hampton University and #9 Howard UniversityThree of the top five producers of African American baccalaureates in psychology were HBCUs: #1 Florida A&M University , #3 Hampton University and #5 Howard University The top three producers of African American baccalaureates in health professions (#1 Southern University and A&M College , #2 Florida A&M University and #3 Howard University ) were HBCUs. Almost half of the members of the Congressional Black Caucus attended an HBCU

www.thinkhbcu.org

•Over half of all African American professionals are graduates of HBCUs

•In 2000, Xavier University in New Orleans individually produced more successful African American medical school applicants (94) than Johns Hopkins (20), Harvard (37), and the University of Maryland (24) combined. Two other HBCUs also placed in the top ten producers of medical school applicants, including Morehouse (33), and Spelman (38).

•Black colleges with a limited number of graduate schools produce more than eighty percent of the doctorates.

•Nine of the top ten colleges that graduate most of the African American students who go on to earn Ph.D.s are HBCUs.

•More than 50 percent of the nation's African American public school teachers and 70 percent of African American dentists and physicians earned degrees at HBCUs.

•HBCUs significantly contribute to the creation of African American science degree holders: agriculture (51.6 percent), biology (42.2 percent), computer science (35 percent), physical science (43 percent), and social science (23.2 percent).

More Outstanding Facts

www.thinkhbcu.org

Dispelling the Myths• …”African-American students who attend HBCUs are statistically no

more likely to experience an interruption in their college enrollment (a stopout) than their counterparts at PWIs”

• “The highest degree attained and highest degree fields differ considerably between HBCU and HWCU faculties. HBCU faculty are about 47 percent more likely to hold a doctoral degree than HWCU faculty members (58.7 percent vs. 40 percent).”

Excerpts from Historically Black College and Universities, Charles Betsey, editor• “The assumption that you have to go to a White school in order to

have a greater chance of securing employment in corporate America in NOT accurate. My experience has been that when the Fortune 500 companies are recruiting African American graduates, they feel more confident going to Florida A & M for business graduates, North Carolina A & T for engineering graduates, Xavier for science graduates, and Howard, Hampton, Morehouse, Spelman and so many others for students who are well rounded and possess leadership potential.”

• “Naysayers take the position that their retention rate is greater at Black Colleges because the curriculum is less demanding. The argument flies in the wind when we see that 25 percent of African Americans who receive their PH.D. at White colleges earn their undergraduate degrees at Black colleges. If Howard is inferior then what prepared these students for their doctorate from Harvard?”

Black College Student Survival Guide, Jawanza Kunjufu

Top 10 HBCU Rankings1. Spelman College Atlanta, GA2. Howard University Washington, DC3. Morehouse College Atlanta, GA4. Hampton University Hampton, VA5. Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL6. Xavier University of Louisiana New Orleans, LA7. Fisk University Nashville, TN8. Florida A & M University Tallahasee, FL9. Claflin University Orangeburg, SC10. North Carolina A & T University Greensboro, NC

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/hbcu

The White House Initiative on HBCUsOn April 28, 1989, President George Bush issued Executive Order

12677 to strengthen the capacity of HBCUs to provide quality education and to increase their participation in federally sponsored programs. It mandates the taking of positive measures, by federal agencies, to increase the participation of HBCUs, their faculty and students, in federally sponsored programs. It also encourages the private sector to assist HBCUs. The Executive Order is administered by the Department's Office of Postsecondary Education - White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This office also coordinates the activities of 27 federal departments and agencies in implementing Executive Order 12677. These agencies were selected for participation in the program because they account for 98 percent of federal funds directed to our colleges and universities. http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq9511.html

Benefits of Attending an HBCU•Flexible admissions criteria—more opportunities for

admittance

•Smaller class sizes—more opportunities to acquire individual assistance and a more personalized learning experience (your are not just a number but a name)

•Greater opportunities to acquire internships, scholarships, programs, study abroad initiatives, etc. established for HBCU students

•Greater opportunities for students to become active members of a team, club or student organization and develop leadership skills

•More opportunities for African American students to acquire a deeper knowledge of self and a more comprehensive understanding of African American Heritage

•Greater chance of being successful because of the vast number of resources that focus on individualized student success ( genuine concern about student achievement)

How to Explore the Black College Option• Initiate the ConversationFind out what the student(s) post secondary interests/talents/passions are to obtain in addition to their “academic body of work” in order to acquire a clear understanding of their best college option. Although there are many different HBCUs with a variety of options it is not the best option for every student. Establish their specific purpose.“African Americans who live in the U.S. need to ask themselves, ‘What is it that students from African and the Caribbean are doing that we are not doing?’…What I have learned from students born in Africa and the Caribbean is that they have a clear focus and purpose for enrolling in college. The majority of them are here to acquire as much information as possible, to secure skills that they can take back to their home country and use to empower their communities.”- Black College Student Survival Guide, Jawanza Kunjufu• Present the InformationIncorporate all HBCU resources into those relative to college/career readiness. HBCUs should be presented as a post secondary option in the same manner as the four year, community college/junior college, career technical, military, and GAP Year options. Disseminate listings, reference sheets and encourage students to use them as a starting point while continuing to research the option independently. Host an HBCU College Night. Conduct classroom lessons on HBCUs. Invite admissions representatives to conduct college visits and/or to participate in the college fair. If and when possible take students on a college visit to explore campus.

How to Explore the Black College Option (Continued)• Have students complete the HBCU Project where they research an

HBCU of choice to obtain a better understanding of what the institution has to offer academically, socially and emotionally. (3 C’s)

• Assist students in completing the application process by becoming familiar with the variance in admissions requirements and the process of admissions

• When necessary seek assistance from and admissions representative at the respective HBCU

“You Can Tell The World”Corinthia Sims, SopranoClaflin University, Senior

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