New Pipeline of Success at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

New study to be issued in May 2009

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) publishes an annual demographic study of its 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) detailing the successes and opportunities at its member schools. Each report specifically addresses trends by gender in admission, recruitment, enrollment, retention, diversity and degrees conferred, among other areas. Based on 20 years of trend data, research shows that Black male enrollment at the public HBCUs overall has not decreased. In fact, the data shows a steady increase over the past 20 years.

The current report is scheduled for release in May 2009, and it indicates that since 1986, Black male enrollment in undergraduate degree programs at the public HBCUs increased by 31%, to 63,256. Over this same 20-year period, Black males receiving their bachelor's degrees also increased, from 7,143 to 8,172.

In 2006, TMCF joined forces with HBCUs to document for replication successful programs that promoted retention and graduation success at HBCUs in the Models for Success research series entitled: Supporting the Achievement and Retention of Black Males. The publication examined innovative and culturally sensitive programs that led to enhanced retention, academic success and increased graduation models for success at several HBCUs.

Many African-American male students are first-generation college students, and a large percentage of them require some form of financial support towards their education. Coupled with the historic social and economic barriers these young men often face, a supportive and safe environment to excel becomes a requirement for success. HBCUs are uniquely positioned to provide a nurturing environment that continues to yield enhanced academic, retention and graduation success.

High expectations, student engagement, early strengths identification and nurturing are key to promoting retention and academic achievement for all students. Aligned with President Obama's goal for 2020, HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions will continue to be major entry points for enhancing America's college-going population.

The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Inc., named for the late U.S. Supreme Court associate justice, was established in 1987 and represents 47 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities located in 22 states with a population of well over 235,000 students.