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A New Must for HBCUs: Online Learning, and Why it is Key to Success.

An african american girl taking notes in front of a computer


A new must for HBCUs: Online Learning, and Why it is Key to Success.

Up until now, online education has been relegated to the equivalent of a hobby at most universities. With the pandemic, it has become a backup plan. Nevertheless, if HBCUs embraced this moment strategically, online education could expand access exponentially and drop its cost by magnitudes — all while shoring up revenues for universities in a way that is more recession-proof, policy-proof and pandemic-proof.

Students are increasingly turning to online courses because they have become a better way to learn.

  • Online courses offer students greater control over their own learning by enabling them to work at their own pace.

  • More engaging multimedia content, greater access to their instructor and fellow classmates via online chat, and less likelihood of outside scheduling conflicts can contribute to improved retention metrics.

  • Online courses also tend to include more frequent assessments. The more often students are assessed, the better their instructors can track progress and intervene when needed.

  • The online format allows a dynamic interaction between the instructor and students and among the students themselves. Resources and ideas are shared, and continuous synergy will be generated through the learning process.

  • Time efficiency is another strength brought by the online learning format. Asynchronous communication through online conferencing programs allows the professional juggling work, family, and study schedules to participate in class discussions. There is no question about doing the work; just do it at the times that are more convenient.

  • Online learning is that it allows students to participate in high quality learning situations when distance and schedule make on-ground learning difficult-to-impossible. Students can participate in classes from anywhere in the world, provided they have a computer and Internet connection.

On a variety of measures, many students who have taken both face-to-face and online courses now rank their online experiences equal to or better than their more traditional classroom courses. We have reached a watershed moment when the discussion will no longer be about the relative merits of online learning, but how best to implement online programs for maximum effect on student enrollment and success.

Today is a very exciting time for technology and education. Online programs offer technology-based instructional environments that expand learning opportunities and can provide top quality education through a variety of formats and modalities. With the special needs of adult learners who need or want to continue their education, online programs offer a convenient solution to conflicts with work, family, and study schedules. Institutions of higher education have found that online programs are essential in providing access to education for the populations they wish to serve.

For an online program to be successful, the curriculum, the facilitator, the technology, and the students must be carefully considered and balanced to take full advantage of the strengths of this format and at the same time avoid pitfalls that could result from its weaknesses.

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For School For Students News

School in Detroit to Reopen in 2022 as an HBCU

The Lewis College of Business building


School in Detroit to Reopen in 2022 as a Historically Black College and University

DETROIT (AP) — A business school in Detroit will be reopened as Michigan’s first and only Historically Black College or University. House bills signed recently by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will facilitate the reopening of the Lewis College of Business as the Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design.

The Lewis College of Business operated in Detroit from 1939 until 2013 and originally received its Historically Black College and University designation in 1987. The Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design has requested HBCU recognition from the state. It is expected to open in 2022 on the campus of the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.

“This will give countless students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to follow in their parents’ and grandparents’ footsteps by attending an HBCU right here in the city of Detroit,” said Katrenia L. Camp, president of the Detroit Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. “This is our opportunity to build pathways of opportunity for people to learn and live at their fullest potential.”

The House bills were sponsored by Rep. Joe Tate, a Detroit Democrat, and Rep. Pamela Hornberger, a Republican from Chesterfield Township.

A black student in an online class

Source: https://www.shorturl.at/kzGL6

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For School For Students News

HBCU Grad and First Black Woman Named Exec. Director of White House Initiative on HBCUs


HBCU Graduate and First Black Woman Named Executive Director of White House Initiative on HBCUs.

Entering the second week of International Month of Women, we are excited to recognize the appointment of Dr. Dietra Trent as the new executive director of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (WHI-HBCUs). Dr. Trent graduated from Hampton University, providing her with a personal, direct connection to HBCUs. She is the first Black woman to be appointed to this position.


“It’s exciting that we’ll have a Black woman in this position because I don’t think that has happened before,” said Dr. Felecia Commodore, an assistant professor of educational foundations and leadership at Old Dominion University, where she studies HBCUs. “I don’t know much about Dr. Trent, but I think it’s promising that she graduated from Hampton University, which means she has a direct connection with HBCUs.”

“I am very excited to see the appointment of an African American woman with extensive higher education experience, and who was educated at an HBCU,” said Dr. Marybeth Gasman. Gasman studies HBCUs and is the Samuel DeWitt Proctor Endowed Chair in Education at Rutgers University.

“To me, this is another example of President Biden’s publicly stated commitment to empowering and creating opportunity for more Black women and recognizing their important role in society.”

“I’m delighted on many fronts,” said Palmer. “Number one, given the fact that a female will be serving in this capacity is really empowering. But more importantly, you have someone who is very well-qualified, who got her undergraduate degree at an HBCU, who has worked in higher education, who has worked in policy and with governors before, who has rich experience.”

Dr. Trent has extensive educational and career experiences that have prepared her for this new role. At Hampton University, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Criminal Justice. She then attended Virginia Commonwealth University where she received her master’s and doctoral degrees in Public Administration and Policy. She has worked with various former governors on their administration teams and was appointed Secretary of Education for the Commonwealth of Virginia in 2016. She previously served as Deputy Secretary of Education in Governor Tim Kaine’s administration and as Director of Constituent Services as well as Director of the Council on Human Rights under Governor Mark Warner. Most recently, she served as George Mason University’s chief of staff. Dr. Trent’s rich experiences and educational background make her a very strong woman to fill this position.

This appointment has been long awaited as it has been over a year since a leader has been in this position. HBCUs and organizations supporting HBCUs are looking forward to the initiatives that Dr. Trent will begin pursuing. Today, we celebrate this new appointment and the increased advocacy, support, and opportunities that will arise for HBCUs across the country.

Congratulations Dr. and Executive Director!