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Section: Opinion

Improving on Branson’s “Affirmative Action” to Space

If Richard Branson really wants to make a mass impact, here’s how to make a difference. Endow no-strings scholarships to people for whom a quality education would be out of reach, and the idea of going to a great college seems like the University of Pluto. Far more than a mere flight to the edge of space, Branson could put wealth and people into orbit in a much more effective and practical way.

July 13, 2021

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Coping with Mental Health Concerns Amid COVID-19

I currently live with anxiety and depression. I have lived with mental health concerns for over ten years, and I am still ok. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, I would not have been able to publicly admit the first line of this article because of feelings of embarrassment and shame. However, by acknowledging my mental health concerns, I know that I am challenging stereotypes as a scholar-practitioner and saving a group of peers, friends, and family by just saying my truth.

July 12, 2021

Roueche Center Forum: Toward Gender Equality in Technology Careers

COVID-19 has demonstrated that technology is a bridge to sustaining a degree of normalcy in our lives. Institutions were able to switch almost overnight to online instruction and services only because of advances in technology, showing how critical having prepared professionals to address world problems is. According to the 2021 study “Women Chief Technology Officers in Community Colleges” by Monica D. Wiggins, the prevalence of technology today requires skilled technology workers — more than ever before — to secure, design, maintain and upgrade an ever-increasing number of advanced technological devices and programs.

July 9, 2021

Dr. Monica D. Wiggins

African-American

TSU President Dr. Glenda Glover and Congresswoman Frederica Wilson Establish a New Partnership for Higher Education Access

Congresswoman Frederica Wilson and Dr. Glenda Glover have structured a groundbreaking partnership that will open the doors of higher education opportunity to students from Miami-Dade, Broward, and Duval Counties in Florida. Glover, President of Tennessee State University (TSU), has awarded full scholarships to twelve students from the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a dropout prevention and mentorship program for boys and young men of color that was founded by Wilson in 1993.

July 6, 2021

Six Things HBCUs Can Do to Increase Alumni Philanthropic Support

Kudos to all those HBCUs fortunate enough to be included on MacKenzie Scott’s mega gift list, along with lesser-known donors and corporate grant makers. For those institutions that were not among the recipients of such largesse, I challenge you to focus on transforming your alumni into consistent givers who may someday become mega givers.

July 2, 2021

Diversity in the Classroom: Why Representation Matters

Representation in the classroom matters. Having a diverse teacher workforce connects cultures, sets high expectations, and reduces implicit bias. Far too often, students of color feel isolated, underrepresented or mistreated, which leads to lower graduation and higher dropout rates.

July 1, 2021

Asian American Pacific Islander

Where Black History and Asian American History Meet: June 19th

“Critical Race Theory”? That’s a term I’ll leave for the protestors at local school boards to shout about. Serious scholars have more important work. Me, I’m just a journalist engaged in what I’ve dubbed as “comparative race experience.” That’s when the damage is done and we all compare notes and find that people of color […]

June 30, 2021

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The Faith Factor: How Students Can Use Faith to Overcome Adversity

I contend that being intentional about the proactive exploration and application of faith is a practice that institutions and instructors can emphasize to better prepare students for their careers and for life.

June 29, 2021

Community Colleges

Roueche Center Forum: Leaving a Leadership Legacy

For nearly three decades, I have had the privilege of serving community college students. Regardless of my roles over the years, I can attest that true leadership is embedded in advocating, advancing and holding sacred the philosophy and mission of our community colleges through a personal commitment to serve our students and our communities.

June 24, 2021

Dr. Kinnamon March 2020-DOW

Critical Sport Scholars: Navigating an Uncomfortable Space

Being a college sports fan while also studying college sports is a difficult space to navigate.

June 23, 2021

College Recruitment Scandal: Lessons Learned

The 2019 college admissions scandal opened a Pandora’s box in college recruitment. For the first time in contemporary history, the world witnessed the tip of the iceberg on how a ‘silent class war’ shapes the recruitment of college students into prestigious higher education institutions in the U.S.

June 18, 2021

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Common DEI Pitfalls

Over recent months, I have had multiple conversations with colleagues about their distrust of diversity, equity, and inclusion offices. This distrust stems from previous interactions with these offices and observations of the status quo. Colleagues share these experiences and challenges with me to gain insights and support as they have knowledge of the work I perform in the JEDI space. Below are three composite examples of common DEI pitfalls colleagues have shared and my response to each situation.

June 17, 2021

We Need More Black Doctors

As a Black female physician who teaches medical and health profession students and residents, I specialize in the areas of health disparities in racial/ethnic minorities often fueled by a lack of cultural competency and humility in health care providers.

June 16, 2021

Dr. Pamela-Payne Foster

3 Steps Toward More Equitable Networks On Campuses

As the Biden administration commits to expanding resources to college students and postsecondary institutions with the fewest financial resources, there’s no shortage of proposals on how best to put those dollars to work to improve college access. But most of these big bets suffer a blindspot: more equitable pathways to opportunity will require access to networks, not just credentials.

June 15, 2021

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Asian American Pacific Islander

Not Yet? Harvard Case Not Enough To End Affirmative Action.

Why is the Supreme Court balking on the Harvard affirmative action case? It’s a bad case if you want to get rid of affirmative action. At least ethically and logically. Racists can get rid of it for any reason they want. But we’re talking about the black robes of SCOTUS here.

June 14, 2021

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Community Colleges

Roueche Center Forum: Culturally Responsive Teaching in the Community College

While education is the great equalizer, enrollment and attainment gaps linked to race and ethnicity have long plagued the nation’s educational system, particularly among African American, Hispanic and Native American students. Researchers and practitioners emphasize the need for culturally relevant supports and interventions to address issues of equitable enrollment, retention and completion practices on college campuses. One such intervention, Culturally Responsive Teaching (CRT), has proven to be a powerful strategy to improve student success and completion.

June 10, 2021

Deborah Manning

African-American

Better Together: Four Mutually Reinforcing Strategies for Retaining Black Students and Faculty

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, higher education institutions are doubling down on efforts to retain Black faculty and students, especially at predominantly White institutions. In most instances, colleges and universities approach faculty and student retention separately, without understanding existing connections between Black faculty and Black students. Following are four ways that Black faculty and Black students are already connecting to provide support for each other.

June 9, 2021

Kwadwo Assensoh

African-American

Why I Came Back: An Alumni Perspective

I never intended to stay this long. But I found myself enjoying working as an administrator at the college I graduated from almost a decade earlier.

June 8, 2021