HBCU presidents grapple with economic, political pressures

Last month’s decision by the Morehouse College Board of Trustees not to renew the contract of its president, John S. Wilson, when it expires in June highlights an issue facing many historically black colleges and universities: the shorter tenures of its leaders.

About 1 in 6 of the nation’s HCBUs do not have a full-time president, according to experts such as MaryBeth Gasman, director of the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions. Gasman also noted the average tenure for a HBCU president is six years, as opposed to eight years at non HBCUs.

HBCU leaders say they face an array of financial challenges and political pressures. To read more about these issues, click here.