Life
HBCUs must adapt to teach the 21st century student
In order to level the playing field, Johnson suggested that HBCUs collaborate with each other and form coalitions.
Johnson encouraged HBCU administrators to engage with NASA’s Minority University Research and Education Program that works with minority-serving institutions on research programs and increasing diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematic fields, commonly known as STEM.
“HBCUs need to understand their own strengths but they just can’t stop there because they are competing against universities who have established relationships more resources and staff members solely focused on creating these partnerships,” said Ivory Toldson, deputy director of White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
“If you’re at an HBCU, you may be teaching classes you may be performing research, participating in committees and building relationships at the same time,” said Toldson.
During a panel discussion titled, “Strengthening the Dream Through Inter-generational Leadership,” speakers addressed the need for HBCUs to form stronger relationships with the communities where they reside.
William Harvey, dean of the School of Education at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, touted two public high schools housed on the Greensboro campus of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical as successful ways to form partnerships with the community while exposing students to HBCUs.
The Middle College at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical is an all-male high school on campus, recently made history achieving a 100 percent graduation rate during the 2011-2012 school year.
