If you’ve seen the new Wicked movie, you’ve probably been hearing a lot about "Good News!" Well, there are no green witches to speak of here, but we’ve got some major wins to share when it comes to some of our Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
It’s no secret that headlines are often swamped with bad news—and we’ve seen our fair share this year. But, in the spirit of the holiday season, let's shift our perspective and shine a light on the good news—the victories that deserve to be celebrated. This week, HBCU Leggings is here to keep you in the loop by delivering some uplifting stories about HBCU victories across the country. As the year winds down, these accounts of triumphs show the power and impact of HBCUs—even in the face of adversity. Keep reading to lift your own spirits as you learn more about how our schools are scoring big wins and finishing out the year strong.
Student Success at Jackson State University
The National Collegiate Athletics Association (or NCAA) regulates and monitors student athletics at over 1000 colleges and universities in the USA. One metric they use to gauge student-athlete success is the graduation success rate (or GSR). Since 2002, the overall GSR has increased from 74% to a stellar 91% today. The improvement is even larger among Black students, having increased from a concerning 56% to a healthier 82% today.
Jackson State University is making headlines as it reports "an impressive overall GSR of 87%; Jackson State ranks among the top institutions in the nation, leading all Historically Black Colleges and Universities.” (HBCUBuzz). Out of over 100 HBCUs in the United States, Jackson State has the highest student-athlete graduate success rate and it holds 3rd place in the state of Mississippi. Now that’s something to celebrate. Whether through top-tier faculty, innovative programs, or community-driven initiatives, Jackson State is showing the world just how much HBCUs contribute to higher education.
Read more here: Jackson State University's Impressive Graduation Success
Morgan State Wins Again
It’s often said that imitation is the highest form of flattery but in this case regarding Morgan State University, imitation is more of a threat than a compliment. Recently, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) stepped in to block Towsen University (a predominantly white institution, or PWI) from launching a doctoral program in sustainability and environmental change that would have been almost identical to the one offered at Morgan. This duplicate program would have created unnecessary competition with the HBCU while possibly threatening its chances of “achieving Research 1 status, a prestigious designation for institutions with the highest levels of research activity.” (BlackEnterprise.com)
Morgan State President David Wilson pointed out that the university is only six graduate students short of meeting the requirements for this distinction, which will be announced in January. If Towson’s program had been allowed to move forward, it could have created even more of an obstacle in Morgan’s efforts in reaching that milestone. This is the second time Morgan State University has won a ruling against Towson University regarding redundancy in doctoral program offerings. This win underscores the importance of protecting HBCUs and highlights how important they are in advancing diversity and educational excellence. Morgan State’s success in defending its academic programs shows the strength of HBCUs in safeguarding their missions and the unique contributions they offer to the academic world.
Read more: Morgan State Blocks PWI’s Duplicate Doctoral Program
Morgan State’s Growing Student Body
But that’s not all the good news for Morgan State University. HBCU enrollment has been steadily rising in recent years, particularly in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn affirmative action. Black students are turning to HBCUs for their higher education, and Morgan State University’s student body population has been a reflection of that.
This year, Morgan State University has hit a historic milestone with a record-breaking 10,739 students enrolled, making it the third-largest HBCU by enrollment, just behind Howard University (12,065 students) and North Carolina A&T (13,322 students) as of June 2023, according to HBCU Lifestyle.
2024 marks the fourth consecutive year of enrollment increases at Morgan, with a 9.4% jump from the previous year. The freshman class saw 2,369 new first-year students, nearly a 4% increase from 2023, and Morgan State achieved its highest-ever graduate school enrollment, with 1,712 students pursuing advanced degrees.
This milestone highlights the growing demand for HBCU education and the rising academic reputation of Morgan State. With its continued commitment to excellence and accessibility, Morgan State is not only providing a high-quality education but also opening doors to higher education for communities that need it most.
Read more: Morgan State Hits Historic Enrollment Milestone
HBCUs Expanding to California
Last but certainly not least, HBCUs are moving west! In a bold move to increase access to higher education, Huston-Tillotson University is expanding to California! This expansion is an exciting development for students on the West Coast who have long been underrepresented at HBCUs.
At the moment, most HBCUs are located in the South, with Alabama holding the record as home to 15 HBCUs. The only HBCU west of Texas is Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, an HBCU located in Los Angeles, California, with an enrollment of about 750 students.
Huston-Tillotson University, a private historically Black college in Austin, Texas, recently announced plans to open a satellite campus in California. The objective of this endeavor is to increase access to HBCU education and resources. This project is mutually beneficial in that it would strengthen the workforce pipeline back in Texas.
And we may be seeing evidence of this sooner than later. “President Melva Wallace unveiled plans to secure the necessary approvals from California authorities to establish a physical campus by August 2025. In the meantime, the university has received permission to begin offering remote coursework to prospective California students as early as January.” (HBCUConnect)
The new campus will offer students the opportunity to experience the unique, community-focused, and culturally enriching environment of HBCUs, all while increasing opportunities for academic and personal growth. With more students having the chance to attend an HBCU, this expansion marks a critical moment in broadening the reach and impact of HBCUs.
Curious about HBCUs near you? Check out the HBCU locator at HBCUConnect.
Read more: HBCU Expanding to California
As we wrap up the year, these stories provide just a few examples of the remarkable things that continue to happen in the HBCU community. We’re so proud to see HBCUs continuing to grow, thrive, and provide students with unique, world-class education and opportunities. These wins are more than just statistics—they represent the value, significance, and future of HBCUs, and we couldn’t be more excited to see where they go from here.
Stay tuned to HBCU Leggings for more updates, and remember, supporting these institutions is one way we can all continue to celebrate their achievements. Let's keep the momentum going!
Love and Leggings,
Bibi
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bibi Mama is a first generation Beninese-American actress born and raised in Mansfield, CT. Growing up she watched her father, an English professor and author, continue the Yoruba oral tradition through storytelling, which inspired her. She earned her B.F.A. from Howard University and recently finished her MFA at the Old Globe/University of San Diego MFA Graduate Acting Program.