Presidents at black colleges facing shorter tenures, firing as pressures grow
Presidents at historic black colleges and universities across the nation are facing pressures their predecessors did not, and failure, real or perceived by college boards, means the leaders’ jobs are on the line.
The pressures are often beyond leaders’ control, such as dropping enrollments at HBCUs as African American students are choosing state or private colleges. That is one of many financial pressures the schools face, and the presidents have to address those, as well as keeping college board members -- who can be micro-managers -- happy.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution takes a look at what some see is a brewing crisis for these tradition-loving colleges and universities that have played a key role in in the development of African American scholars, business, politicians and social life.
About the Author
Christopher Quinn is a writer and editor who has worked for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution since 1999. He writes stories on Veterans Affairs, business including high-tech growth in metro Atlanta, Georgia's $72 billion farm economy, and he oversees assigning and editing news obituaries.
