The world around HBCUs is shifting at a dizzying pace, and most are having difficulty staying abreast of the changes. The turbulence has quieted, for a bit, on at least one important front—the selection of those responsible for the foreseeable future of HBCUs. This summer, nearly two dozen permanent or interim presidents have been appointed at HBCUs, reflecting a major turnover of leadership in such a short time.
But this new crop of presidents possesses qualifications that differ from the typical HBCU president. As a group, the new presidents are younger than their predecessors and consist of more women. They are less likely to be pure academics with rich backgrounds in higher education. They are savvier in the use of new technology and social media and keenly aware of the new emphasis on fundraising as a key to sustainability.
