Life
HBCUs lead the way in STEM achievement for African-American students
Christopher Smith, a doctoral student in biomedical engineering, looks at stem cell samples through an inverted microscope in a lab at the Johns Hopkins University. PHOTO/Patrick Semansky/AP
The good news is that African Americans are earning more college degrees. Over the past 10 years, there has been a 27 percent increase in the number of degrees earned overall by African Americans. However in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) fields, we aren’t seeing as much growth. There is growth in the biological sciences with degree completion up by 21 percent, but we have seen no growth in engineering and a decline in degrees in the physical sciences and math.
Within majority institutions, there are several practices that impede degree completion for African Americans (and others) in the STEM fields. Often the ‘survival of the fittest’ mentality in these programs works against students of African-Americans who are more likely to excel in a supportive, success oriented environment.
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have a lot to teach us about success for African Americans in the STEM fields. These institutions, which represent a mere 3 percent of the nation’s colleges and universities,” produce 19 percent of all African American STEM bachelor’s degrees. More specifically, they produce 38 percent of African American degrees in the biological sciences, 31 percent in math, 35 percent in computer science, 34 percent in physical science, and 22 percent in engineering. Given that HBCUs have fewer resources and often work with low-income, first generation students, their track records are quite impressive.
