3 Questions
Dr. Larry J. Walker
Protecting and Understanding the Relevance of HBCUs
Dr. Larry J. Walker is one of America's seminal researcher, scholar, and author in the area of Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and issues impacting the academic opportunities of under-served populations. I had the opportunity to sit down for 3 questions with Dr. Walker as a follow up to his recent article Efforts to discourage Black colleges' growth would harm under-served communities. The article appeared in Hechinger Report. Dr. Walker brilliantly highlighted the economic relevance of HBCUs to more than under-served communities, but to the overall economic health to local, state, and our national economies.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Given the economic impact of HBCUs as highlighted by the over 2 billion dollars in economic contributions to states like North Carolina; why does the relevance of HBCUs remain an ongoing question?
Dr. Larry J. Walker: Historically the nation has struggled to understand the role race plays in education, economic development and public health among other issues. As a result, HBCUs are forced to consistently defend their importance in today’s society. Race is the central issue that drives the narrative that HBCUs are no longer relevant. HBCUs have overcome federal, state and local efforts to undermine their mission. The UNCF report highlights why HBCUs are critical to the nations economic interests.
Dr. Mike Robinson:Can you provide some additional insight as to the concern many in the HBCU community have regarding the Republican’s version of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. In the Republican version it is set to limit the eligibility of minority-serving institutions to access Title III funding if they fail to graduate or transfer 25 percent or more of their student populations? And should we not want to hold all institutions to a standard of student achievement?
Dr. Larry J. Walker: I believe it’s important to hold post-secondary institutions accountable for preparing students to compete in the global economy. However, HBCUs educate more minority and underserved students in comparison to PWIs. HBCU alumni are more likely to have student debt and less likely to have access to capital after graduation. The 25 percent threshold, in my opinion, is an arbitrary number that doesn’t account for years of limited federal and state funding. HBCUs are consistently under attack and forced to apologize for circumstances that are beyond their control. If Congress believes HBCUs are important then they must consider a large infusion of money to fund infrastructure projects, scholarships and research.
Dr. Mike Robinson: You are co-authoring a book, The Way Forward: How HBCUs Cultivated Black Intellectualism and Economic Growth, to highlight their important role in generating wealth within the black community. Can you speak to what some of these new leaders look like and where are they impacting communities?
Dr. Larry J. Walker: The book seeks to contextualize the impact HBCUs had on the Black community. My coauthor (Dr. Ramon B. Goings) and I will discuss how HBCUs developed a range of prominent leaders including Ella Baker, Thurgood Marshall, and Kwame Nkrumah. In addition, we highlight HBCU alumni including Umi Selah (FAMU) from the Dream Defenders. Overall the book provides a comprehensive examination of HBCUs important role in higher education.
Dr. Larry J. Walker is a researcher focusing on issues that affect the academic performance and socio-emotional functioning of students throughout the education pipeline. He is a previous congressional fellow with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and legislative director for former Congressman Major R. Owens.
Dr. Mike Robinson: Given the economic impact of HBCUs as highlighted by the over 2 billion dollars in economic contributions to states like North Carolina; why does the relevance of HBCUs remain an ongoing question?
Dr. Larry J. Walker: Historically the nation has struggled to understand the role race plays in education, economic development and public health among other issues. As a result, HBCUs are forced to consistently defend their importance in today’s society. Race is the central issue that drives the narrative that HBCUs are no longer relevant. HBCUs have overcome federal, state and local efforts to undermine their mission. The UNCF report highlights why HBCUs are critical to the nations economic interests.
Dr. Mike Robinson:Can you provide some additional insight as to the concern many in the HBCU community have regarding the Republican’s version of the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965. In the Republican version it is set to limit the eligibility of minority-serving institutions to access Title III funding if they fail to graduate or transfer 25 percent or more of their student populations? And should we not want to hold all institutions to a standard of student achievement?
Dr. Larry J. Walker: I believe it’s important to hold post-secondary institutions accountable for preparing students to compete in the global economy. However, HBCUs educate more minority and underserved students in comparison to PWIs. HBCU alumni are more likely to have student debt and less likely to have access to capital after graduation. The 25 percent threshold, in my opinion, is an arbitrary number that doesn’t account for years of limited federal and state funding. HBCUs are consistently under attack and forced to apologize for circumstances that are beyond their control. If Congress believes HBCUs are important then they must consider a large infusion of money to fund infrastructure projects, scholarships and research.
Dr. Mike Robinson: You are co-authoring a book, The Way Forward: How HBCUs Cultivated Black Intellectualism and Economic Growth, to highlight their important role in generating wealth within the black community. Can you speak to what some of these new leaders look like and where are they impacting communities?
Dr. Larry J. Walker: The book seeks to contextualize the impact HBCUs had on the Black community. My coauthor (Dr. Ramon B. Goings) and I will discuss how HBCUs developed a range of prominent leaders including Ella Baker, Thurgood Marshall, and Kwame Nkrumah. In addition, we highlight HBCU alumni including Umi Selah (FAMU) from the Dream Defenders. Overall the book provides a comprehensive examination of HBCUs important role in higher education.
Dr. Larry J. Walker is a researcher focusing on issues that affect the academic performance and socio-emotional functioning of students throughout the education pipeline. He is a previous congressional fellow with the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation and legislative director for former Congressman Major R. Owens.