Survival of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Survival of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities as edited by North Carolina A&T State University Chancellor Emeritus Edward Fort, conceptualizes the strategies, strategic planning energies, and delivery systems which might be of assistance to HBCU's as they continue to survive in this age of uncertainty. Its insightful chapters, as penned by Fort and a number of his colleagues (including former Presidents and Chancellors of Black campuses) are data driven and experientially based. The challenges encountered by the HBCU leaders are described as multiple and include fiscal accountability and the continued need to assist the public schools as related to the twin problems of the achievement gap and Clark's "Cult of Cultural Deprivation." The author and his colleagues outline viable strategies geared to address these challenges. The latter represent but two of a number of other challenges confronting HBCU's. These include, but are not limited to (1) enrollment competition with majority institutions, (2) cultivation of alumni support, (3) the garnering of fiscal equity via such avenues as increased federal agency and foundation/corporate support. Considerable space is devoted to the critical issue of institutional leadership. Here, strategies and delivery systems are explored as associated with the HBCU leader's aggressive determination to provide the best possible crucible of learning for students attending the institution. The issues of fiscal accountability and its ever-present spectra of prospective gloom and doom lurks as an enemy to be constantly confronted. Many pages are devoted to the conceptualization of prescriptive strategies, which can be applied to present day campus situations. Leaders of historically black campuses can benefit from these writings as these institutions constantly face the heartache of state revenue shortfall, private university funding sources evaporation and the demoralizing impact of cut backs in program, capital construction, and scholarship support. Creativity protocols are described in detail and forward moving processes poised for prospective success enunciated. Navigating the problem of K-12 economic inequality and its impact upon HBCU's is also explored, as well as the need to enhance "leveraging" for federal support, including the United States Department of Agriculture.Ultimately, alumni support is vigorously support, as an HBCU leadership must.

Anyone interested in the acute challenges confronting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and in making a lasting difference in the larger society where their graduates will serve should read this important book and take its lessons to heart. With a wonderful mix of theory and practice, this volume is for professionals and for anyone interested in the crucial questions related to educational leadership in institutions of higher education, especially HBCUs. Edited by a preeminent American educator, this volume draws from outstanding contributors whose expertise provides an understanding of the broad spectrum of challenges faced by HBCUs. From his own background as a former urban superintendent of schools in Michigan and California, and as former Chancellor of North Carolina A&T State University, one of the nation’s largest HBCUs, Dr. Edward Fort speaks authoritatively about an important mission for HBCUs—the preparation of effective teachers and school administrators. Dr. Fort asserts that HBCU campuses have within their power the position, prestige, and ability to lead an attack on two of the greatest challenges he identifies confronting Black youth today—the twin challenges of the Black and White K-12 student achievement gap and the ‘cult of cultural deprivation.’ The sine qua non is leadership. In this book, Fort’s prestigious colleagues, including former chancellors, vice chancellors, and a retired congressman, offer suggestions for marshaling resources from government foundations and the corporate sector. They speak to the critical importance of alumni as another vital resource for HBCUs. They provide historical as well as contemporary perspectives on leadership. They spell out the importance of cultivating positive faculty relations. And, the contributors stress the importance of some of the greatest challenges confronting these campuses—for example, economic inequality and fiscal affairs management. As a graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, I am particularly proud that one of its former chancellors has presented this marvelous description of the leadership challenges and opportunities for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, which should become a standard textbook in higher education for years to come.

Edward Fort, chancellor emeritus at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, currently serves the institution as the Edward B. Fort Professor of Education. Dr. Fort is nationally known as a specialist in urban school administration and higher education organizational construct. His earlier administrative experiences include a second chancellorship (the University of Wisconsin Center System) and two urban school superintendencies—Sacramento, California, and Inkster, Michigan. As a former chairman of the National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education Board of Directors, he is a recipient of the National Association of Student Affairs Professionals Presidential Golden Award and the State of North Carolina’s highest gubernatorial award, “The Order of the Long Leaf Pine.”