Giving Compass' Take:
- Marybeth Gasman explores how predominantly Black institutions support academic success and upward economic mobility for Black and low-income students.
- How can donors and funders best support predominantly Black institutions, in turn supporting student success, upward mobility, and personal growth?
- Learn more about best practices in philanthropy.
- Search our Guide to Good for nonprofits in your area.
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Predominantly Black institutions serve as critical lifelines for many students who might otherwise face barriers to attending college. These colleges and universities, which have at least 40% Black students (and 50% low-income students), play a vital role in advancing educational equity by offering culturally responsive teaching, fostering community engagement, and promoting upward mobility for Black, low-income students, and many other students. To learn more about predominantly Black institutions, I recently talked with Zaldwaynaka “Z” Scott, president of Chicago State University in Illinois, and Falecia D. Williams, president of Prince George’s Community College in Maryland.
To begin, I asked both presidents how predominantly Black institutions uniquely address their students' educational and social needs. According to Scott, “At Chicago State University, we are a high-access institution, and we are proud of that. As the most affordable public institution in Chicago, we enable our students to earn their bachelor’s degree and beyond, become diverse leaders in their field, and earn a family-sustaining income in their career, helping to change their family’s trajectory. That is why CSU ranks in the top 4% of colleges and universities in the United States for economic and social mobility.”
CSU’s student body is 76% Black, an average age of 29, and 89% receive Pell Grants. Acknowledging the significant needs of CSU students, Scott emphasized that “they are students with great drive.” Furthermore, CSU boasts a highly diverse faculty, with faculty of color representing 70%. This diversity enables students to see themselves as leaders in the classroom and beyond.
Similarly, PGCC takes a holistic approach to student support. Williams explained that the institution’s Predominantly Black Institution Grant “focuses on systemically scaling retention-based services that address the unique needs of Black students. Unlike other institutions, PGCC goes beyond academic resources by prioritizing social and emotional support.” She shared that initiatives funded by the PBI program, such as the Owl Market food pantry, “ensure that students have access to essential resources like 75 grocery items weekly, reducing financial stress and allowing them to focus on their education.”
Read the full article about student success at predominantly Black institutions by Marybeth Gasman at Forbes.