Pearson Education Corp., partnered with Diverse and host institution Kentucky State University to sponsor a two-day event titled, “HBCUs: Executive Leadership Forum.” At the forum, numerous HBCU stakeholders had the opportunity to hear from leaders across the HBCU spectrum who gave their take on digital media, veteran students, student success and retention, and other topics of interest for HBCUs.
One panel, titled, “How the New Administration Will Affect HBCU Success,” featured Dr. Felecia E. Commodore, an assistant professor in educational foundations and leadership at Old Dominion University; Dr. Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the United Negro College Fund; Chuck Melley, vice president, U.S. Government Relations, Pearson; and Johnny C. Taylor Jr., president and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund.
Dr. Bill Cox, president and CEO of Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, moderated the panel, setting the table at the beginning of the session.
“Last November, the American people went to the polls and did what they had done 44 times before, that is to elect a president of the United States,” Cox said. “And at the end of the day, Donald Trump became our 45th president. … What does the election of Donald Trump mean for education, especially higher education and specifically HBCUs?”
For one, Taylor is encouraged by the attention HBCUs have been getting in the early days of the Trump administration. He noted that TMCF was engaged with both presidential campaigns last summer, with the Trump transition team following the election, and recently with Trump administration officials.
“I am absolutely encouraged by the fact that there are discussions being had about HBCUs. Any of us who are in this HBCU space, have to admit,” that not in 100 days, but in fewer than 30 days, numerous major media outlets — “everyone is talking about HBCUs. And so the fact of the matter is this is net, net good for us and we’ve got to hold this new administration accountable for it, but at a minimum, we are being discussed.”
Beyond that, Taylor referenced a new executive order that could be coming and be for the benefit of HBCUs.
