National HBCU Business Deans Roundtable’s Post

Interested in education policy? Join us TOMORROW for the CHLI Congressional Public Policy Briefing on education featuring a panel of experts who will discuss the policies shaping higher education and their impacts on the Hispanic community. From tuition rates to FAFSA and Pell grants, get insights into the current landscape and what the future holds. Hear from Congressional leaders on education including Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC), Congressman Darren Soto (FL), and Melody Gonzales (The White House Hispanic Initiative). We’ll also feature a panel of industry experts including Mary Ann Gomez (CHLI), Madelyn Lucas (Excelencia in Education), Luis Maldonado (American Association of State Colleges and Universities), and Erica Romero (Latinos for Education). When: Wednesday, May 1st  Time: 2:30 PM Where: United States Capitol, Room H-137, Washington, D.C. 20004 Register at: https://lnkd.in/g64aRbp5 Let’s shape the future of higher education together. #TheCHLI #HigherEducation #PublicPolicy #EducationReform #HispanicEducation #FAFSA #PellGrants #EducationPolicy

What folks are not talking about: If you’ve looked at the front page of the higher education section of Legacy Newspapers, all you will see is back to back coverage of what's happening at 2-3 Ivy Leagues. While this is nothing new, it's coming at the cost of what's not being covered, such as the executive order the Governor of Oklahoma signed yesterday that eliminates all DEIA offices in public colleges across the state. On top of that, the University of Wisconsin Regents voted to approve a deal that allows them to access $800 million in funding for pay raises and building upgrades in exchange for gutting their DEIA offices across the university system. I fear this is only the beginning and will hurt marginalized students and eliminate some of the progress we've made in terms of making higher education more accessible to folks from all backgrounds. As someone who had the opportunity to work in the DEIA offices at two universities, I can tell you that we did more than events honoring Heritage Months. We provided resources to students who were food insecure, housing insecure, who were about to drop out, we went to bat for students who were being discriminated against by their professors, and more. Let me be clear: I am not saying there shouldn't be coverage around free speech or a much-needed discussion on how universities need to do more for Jewish students (both are critical and long overdue). What I am saying is there are bad faith actors in the political world who are weaponizing both topics and using them as a cudgel to attack DEIA overall. There's a firewall between electeds and universities, and that wall is crumbling, and we need to fight to keep it there. Both actions in OK and WI happened on the same day (December 13th). This is only the beginning and it's imperative we stay vigilant and be discerning on how politicians are trying to roll back the progress we've made in society. As always, I welcome your thoughts in the comment section.

Did you know that Mississippi State Senator John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, introduced SB 2726, which proposes the closure of three state-funded universities. The bill introduced into the Mississippi Senate, calling for the closure of three state-funded universities by June 30, 2028, has serious implications for the future of Higher Education among the American Descendants of Slaves (ADOS). Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a crucial role in providing accessible and quality education to ADOS students. The closure of HBCUs would not only limit access to higher education for ADOS but also erode a cornerstone of cultural and historical significance within the community. This is a call to action for anyone who has attended an HBCU. It is important that the ADOS community, as well as supporters of HBCUs, contact their state legislators in Mississippi to express their concerns and advocate for the preservation of these institutions. A coordinated effort to reach out to lawmakers, through calls, emails, and letters, is necessary to ensure that the voices of those impacted by the potential closures are heard. The institutions at risk of closure due to this bill are: * Alcorn State University * Delta State University * Jackson State University * Mississippi State University * Mississippi University for Women * Mississippi Valley State University * The University of Mississippi * The University of Southern Mississippi - Mississippi Valley State University * District: 28 * County: Bolivar, Humphreys * Federal Representative: Bennie Thompson * State Representative: Karl Gibbs * State Senator: David Jordan * Zip Code: 38941 #civicengagement #policychange

Did you know that Mississippi State Senator John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, introduced SB 2726, which proposes the closure of three state-funded universities. The bill introduced into the Mississippi Senate, calling for the closure of three state-funded universities by June 30, 2028, has serious implications for the future of Higher Education among the American Descendants of Slaves (ADOS). Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a crucial role in providing accessible and quality education to ADOS students. The closure of HBCUs would not only limit access to higher education for ADOS but also erode a cornerstone of cultural and historical significance within the community. This is a call to action for anyone who has attended an HBCU. It is important that the ADOS community, as well as supporters of HBCUs, contact their state legislators in Mississippi to express their concerns and advocate for the preservation of these institutions. A coordinated effort to reach out to lawmakers, through calls, emails, and letters, is necessary to ensure that the voices of those impacted by the potential closures are heard. The institutions at risk of closure due to this bill are: * Alcorn State University * Delta State University * Jackson State University * Mississippi State University * Mississippi University for Women * Mississippi Valley State University * The University of Mississippi * The University of Southern Mississippi - Alcorn State University * District: 37 * County: Claiborne, Jefferson, Tensas * Federal Representative: Bennie Thompson * State Representative: David Myers * State Senator: Tammy Witherspoon * Zip Code: 39096 #civicengagement #policychange

Did you know that Mississippi State Senator John Polk, R-Hattiesburg, introduced SB 2726, which proposes the closure of three state-funded universities. The bill introduced into the Mississippi Senate, calling for the closure of three state-funded universities by June 30, 2028, has serious implications for the future of Higher Education among the American Descendants of Slaves (ADOS). Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a crucial role in providing accessible and quality education to ADOS students. The closure of HBCUs would not only limit access to higher education for ADOS but also erode a cornerstone of cultural and historical significance within the community. This is a call to action for anyone who has attended an HBCU. It is important that the ADOS community, as well as supporters of HBCUs, contact their state legislators in Mississippi to express their concerns and advocate for the preservation of these institutions. A coordinated effort to reach out to lawmakers, through calls, emails, and letters, is necessary to ensure that the voices of those impacted by the potential closures are heard. The institutions at risk of closure due to this bill are: * Alcorn State University * Delta State University * Jackson State University * Mississippi State University * Mississippi University for Women * Mississippi Valley State University * The University of Mississippi * The University of Southern Mississippi - Jackson State University * District: 66 * County: Hinds * Federal Representative: Bennie Thompson * State Representative: Stephanie Foster * State Senator: Tammy Witherspoon * Zip Code: 39217 #civicengagement #policychange

Interested in education policy? Join us for the CHLI Congressional Public Policy Briefing on education featuring a panel of experts who will discuss the policies shaping higher education and impacts on the Hispanic community. From tuition rates to FAFSA and Pell grants, get insights into the current landscape and what the future holds. When: Wednesday, May 1st  Time: 2:30 PM Where: United States Capitol, Room H-137, Washington, D.C. 20004 Register at: https://lnkd.in/g64aRbp5 Let’s shape the future of higher education together. #TheCHLI #HigherEducation #PublicPolicy #EducationReform #HispanicEducation #FAFSA #PellGrants #EducationPolicy

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📣 Urgent Call to Action: University of South Florida, as an Institution with a 45% diversity population and recent Association of American Universities (AAU) member, it's time to stand up for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)! AAU President Barbara R. Snyder underscores the vital role of diversity in education and academic success. In the face of The Florida Department of Education's actions against DEI, remaining silent does a disservice to students, faculty, and the AAU's commitment to DEI. Let's unite in support of a diverse and inclusive education! 🎓 #DEI #HigherEd #USF AAU President Barbara R. Snyder emphasizes, "A university education in which one’s fellow students all come from similar backgrounds is woefully incomplete and fundamentally flawed." In light of the recent ban on funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs by the Florida Department of Education, educational institutions must take a stand. The ban contradicts the principles AAU stands for, and without expressing concern, we risk compromising the values of diversity and inclusivity that contribute to academic excellence. Let's advocate for an inclusive education for all! To read more about this find my blog post below. 📚🌍 #StandForDEI #USFDEI https://lnkd.in/eG5n8eh8

Going to SxSW.edu in March? If so, I hope you'll attend my conversation with Paulette Granberry Russell, J.D., Mushtaq Gunja, and Shaun Harper from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. CT, Austin Convention Center, Room 8ABC. We'll discuss How Colleges Can Overcome Anti-Diversity Headwinds. A Descripition: SCOTUS zapped race-based admissions, activists are targeting race-based scholarships, and legislators are banning administrative positions in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Yet most colleges remain committed to serving a wide range of students, including members of underrepresented minorities, low-income households, and first-generation college families. In this session, leading national experts will examine what colleges can and should do to remain true to their ideals within the confines of the law. You can add it to your schedule here: https://lnkd.in/eMcd6vXr

Interested in education policy? Join us in TWO WEEKS for the CHLI Congressional Public Policy Briefing on education featuring a panel of experts who will discuss the policies shaping higher education and impacts on the Hispanic community. From tuition rates to FAFSA and Pell grants, get insights into the current landscape and what the future holds. When: Wednesday, May 1st  Time: 2:30 PM Where: United States Capitol, Room H-137, Washington, D.C. 20004 Register at: https://lnkd.in/g64aRbp5 Let’s shape the future of higher education together. #TheCHLI #HigherEducation #PublicPolicy #EducationReform #HispanicEducation #FAFSA #PellGrants #EducationPolicy