In this episode of On The Yard, we talk with Emile Parker, Director of Alumni Relations at Oakwood University, and Cheri Wilson, Executive Director of University Advancement, about how HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions can effectively position themselves as beneficiaries of major philanthropic gifts. 

In this episode of On The Yard, we learn how Allen University President Dr. Ernest McNealey is blazing a new pathway for Allen University through strong fiscal management. A major challenge that many Historically Black Colleges and Universities face is a lack of adequate financing. This is why Dr. McNealey emphasizes the importance of presidents taking ownership of the financial affairs of their university and thinking strategically about money as a tool to enhance the institution's overall goals.

There is a rising interest in HBCUs among college-aged students. In this episode of On The Yard, we learn about the recruiting and enrollment issues that HBCUs are now facing from Dr. Cynthia Warrick; yet, at Stillman College, they make it easy for students to attend, graduate and become leaders in their respective fields.

HBCUs have long prioritized Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and Martin University is no exception. Martin University President Dr. Sean L. Huddleston believes in the importance of incorporating diversity and inclusion initiatives into a university's goals and strategies as an essential component of a university. In this episode of On The Yard, we discuss the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in HBCUs and how these institutions have their own level of diversity.

In this episode of On The Yard, we discuss the ways in which these historic institutions bring society full circle to confront the issues that are facing our communities. Dr. Harris believes that HBCUs are historically devoted to social justice and have a legacy of demonstrating what they can accomplish to improve society and the world. “HBCUs have been advocating for a whole sense of democracy, justice, freedom, and giving people full access to the things that make a human flourish,” said Dr. Harris. 

In the eyes of many HBCU leaders and champions, these historical institutions are the leading experts in educating first-generation, under-resourced, and Pell-eligible students. In this episode of On The Yard, we sit down with Lane College President Logan Hampton to explore how HBCUs provide many under-resourced yet brilliant and capable students with an opportunity to attend college and graduate.

The greatest challenge that Historically Black Colleges and Universities confront today is funding. However, Tougaloo College is worth the investment, according to Tougaloo College President Carmen Walters.In this episode of On The Yard, we discuss the value of strategic partnerships and donors in propelling HBCUs forward, as well as the role Tougaloo College plays in connecting the past to the present through these initiatives. Dr. Walters share how she developed a strategy that includes goals for improving the student learning experience and driving Tougaloo College forward through academic rigor and social justice.

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In this episode of On the Yard, we sit down with Southern University Vice President of External Affairs and University Relations Robyn Merrick, Ph.D. to discuss how HBCU campuses managed the pandemic while educating their communities and protecting students and faculty. We explore how HBCUs managed to make shifts rapidly and what the fall may look like for these historic institutions.