By Makheru Bradley (9/02/2024)
We titled this series Habari Gani, a Kiswahili term we use during Kwanzaa, translated as “What’s New”, or “What is the News?” Our intent is to cover recent events that impact Afrikan people.
*** Declining numbers of Black Males at HBCU’s
Last week while reporting on the financial problems the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was causing at Johnson C. Smith University, we noted the increased enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For example, Howard University received a record-breaking 37,000 applications for the fall of 2024, up from 33,000 in 2023.
Higher Ed Drive reported: “Among the institutions that have seen an enrollment surge is the nation’s largest HBCU, North Carolina A&T State University. Its enrollment reached 13,883 students in fall 2023, an increase of nearly 3% compared to the previous academic year.” Delaware State University, North Carolina Central University, Wilberforce University, and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore are among the HBCU’s reporting increased enrollment. Morgan State University has seen its enrollment surge 27% since 2018.
All of this positive news is tempered by a very serious problem. The percentage of Black males enrolled in HBCUs has reached a historic low. A study by the American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM) titled, “HBCUs at a Crossroads: Addressing the Decline in Black Male Enrollment,” stated:
“Black men account for only 26% of the students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), down from 38% in 1976. In fact, there are fewer Black men enrolled at HBCUs today than in 1976.”
Some key findings from the AIBM study:
— The share of non-Black students at HBCUs is now about equal to the share of Black male students, at 26% and 25% respectively.
— HBCUs enroll a higher proportion of lower-income students compared to non-HBCUs, and these students are nearly twice as likely to experience upward economic mobility.
— This decline in Black male students is influenced by factors such as inadequate K-12 preparation, a lack of Black male teachers, and financial barriers both individually and institutionally.
— Addressing these issues through targeted interventions and expanded funding may reverse the declining trend and increase the opportunities for Black men at HBCUs.
In 1976, there were about 103,000 Black females enrolled in HBCUs compared to about 82,000 Black males. By 2022 that gap had increased with about 140,000 Black females enrolled, compared to about 79,000 Black males.
*** Black Students Are More Likely To Graduate At HBCUs
The AIBM study documents the critical role of HBCU’s in educating Afrikan Americans:
HBCUs also play an important role in the graduate school pathway. HBCUs account for just 13% of 4-year degrees awarded to Black students, but HBCU graduates account for nearly 50% of Black doctoral recipients in agricultural science, 31% in mathematics, 23% in science and engineering, and 21% in psychology. HBCUs have produced more Black applicants to medical schools than non-HBCUs, and they are responsible for educating 40% of Black engineers and 50% of Black lawyers. Black HBCU graduates are also more likely to report having a better experience in college, receiving more support, and have greater social capital.
HBCUs enroll more lower-income students than non-HBCUs, and these students are more likely to experience upward economic mobility. Students from HBCUs have upward mobility rates (i.e. moving from the bottom to top of the income distribution) about twice as high as those from all US colleges and universities. In addition, over half of HBCU students experience at least some upward economic mobility (up at least one income quintile), a rate which is about 50% higher than all US colleges and universities.
Black students who attend HBCUs have higher levels of self-esteem and report fewer depressive symptoms compared to those attending non-HBCUs, according to some research. This may be attributed to the stronger sense of belonging and cultural affirmation that Black students often experience at HBCUs. These may in turn contribute to enhanced later academic achievement, social capital and post-graduation success.
One the positive side, the AIBM study notes that enrollment among Black men at HBCU’s “has increased since 2020, outpacing other groups, although total number of Black men still remains below pre-COVID levels.”
The study covered the 1976-2022 timeframe. We don’t know what impact of the current overall increase has had on Black male enrollment at HBCUs. While we hope its trending upward, we know for a fact that we need more early intervention programs focused on enhancing the possibilities of Black males.
(Read the AIBM study at: https://aibm.org/research/hbcus-at-a-crossroads-addressing-the-decline-in-black-male-enrollment/)
(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author.)
