BALTIMORE — Though institutional leaders are under increased political pressure and scrutiny from the Trump administration as it seeks to root out educational practices that it deems as “woke” or too deferential to race and ethnicity, they still ave a responsibility to center belonging on campus. That was the central theme Monday at the annual conference of the American Association of Blacks in Higher Education, or AABHE.
“The question is no longer just about access but also about success, belonging, and equity,” said Dr. Tajma Cameron, assistant professor in science education at Morgan State University, an historically Black institution located here in Charm City.
Dr. Tajma Cameron is an assistant professor in science education at Morgan State University.Morgan State University
She urged conferees to “rethink not just what to do but how we do it and for whom.”
“We know that higher education is at a critical inflection point,” Cameron said, noting that America’s schools have become more racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse than ever.
Some administrators said the current political environment makes it institutionally perilous to implement the ideas that Cameron touted in her talk.
One higher education administrator, speaking on condition of anonymity to avoid drawing attention to her university, said while Dr. Cameron has “amazing ideas,” they come at a time when many educational leaders are “basically afraid to contravene the administration.”
“I think this idea is fabulous. It is necessary for the success of students as well as to make the educational environment a safe and healthy place,” the administrator said. “But I think some institutions won’t do it because of their anxiety about the administration.”
