Marybeth Gasman

Smith College professor Elizabeth Pryor, daughter of Richard Pryor, challenges conventional race discussions in her new book, "Something We Said." She argues that debates over racial slurs often obscure the deeper issue of racism, urging a focus on the N-word's historical and personal impact rather than free speech arguments. Pryor's work, born from a classroom incident, critiques how universities prioritize speech rights, often failing to create inclusive learning environments. She highlights how careless language alienates students, particularly Black students who feel their personhood is debated. The book also delves into her biracial identity and her father's subversive artistry, ultimately seeking to foster more direct, empathetic conversations about race, identity, and human connection.

Historian Randal Jelks's new book, "My America: Langston Hughes on Democracy," argues Hughes saw democracy as a way of living, rooted in dignity, community, and mutual responsibility, not merely elections. Influenced by an abolitionist family and Kansas's struggles, Hughes championed an inclusive country, resisting racial imperialism and recognizing common humanity. Jelks highlights Hughes's emphasis on "joy" in democratic struggle, a commitment to fighting for what's right while acknowledging opponents' humanity. Hughes's global travels also informed his understanding that democracy is never secure, with Black Americans central to global resistance against exploitation. Jelks presents Hughes as a model for accessible, rigorous scholarship, ultimately conveying that democracy requires effort, sacrifice, and protecting each other from power's abuses, starting with how we care for one another.

Mara Casey Tieken's book, *Educated Out*, challenges the notion that rural students lack college aspirations, particularly for elite institutions.

Opeyemi T. Adeniran, a Morgan State doctoral student, advocates for viewing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as innovation ecosystems, not just talent pipelines. She founded Morgan TechFest, a student-led conference bridging the gap between academic learning and rapid industry changes. This event integrates curriculum, community, research, and industry, fostering interdisciplinary innovation. Students present tech-driven projects across diverse fields, from AI in healthcare to racial equity, engaging with major companies like Amazon and Google. TechFest facilitates internships and job placements, demonstrating HBCUs as vibrant innovation hubs. It also offers a model for sustained corporate partnerships, recognizing HBCUs as centers of knowledge and creativity.

More than 325 institutional advancement leaders, college presidents, funders, corporate partners, and advocates came together for the HBCU Philanthropy Symposium.

The Sachs Foundation, founded in 1931, continues its unwavering mission to empower Black students, selecting 65 new scholars for 2026 with over $2.6 million in aid. Its enduring commitment, forged through eras of KKK power and Jim Crow, remains steadfast amidst current attacks on race-conscious scholarships. Scholars like Isejah Hamdorf, pursuing aerospace engineering, and Mozan Hassan, driven by family experiences to international law, embody the diverse aspirations supported. Beyond financial assistance, Sachs provides critical emergency and mental health aid, addressing widespread student insecurity. The foundation stresses that while philanthropy is vital, true educational equity requires fundamental systemic change to uplift entire generations.

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon issued a "National Call to Action" on August 3, 2026, urging universities to commit to rigorous teaching, research, and national service by year-end. While presented as an invitation without explicit threats, critics view it as a subtle federal attempt to influence higher education, given the administration's history of pressuring institutions through funding. Concerns center on potential government overreach into academic freedom, faculty hiring, and the definition of "intellectual pluralism." Experts like Todd Wolfson warn against political control dictating university governance. The involvement of groups like the AAU sparks debate on whether it legitimizes federal interference or merely tempered a more aggressive proposal. Universities now face the complex task of responding while safeguarding institutional independence.

A new report details InsideTrack's coaching initiative across 39 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), supporting nearly 44,000 students from 2021-2026. Designed to boost persistence and completion, the program showed significant results: students engaging with retention coaches achieved a 90.4% retention rate, compared to 82.4% for uncoached peers. Re-enrollment coaching led to a 17.3% return rate for engaged students, contributing to an overall re-enrollment rate 2.5 times the national average. Over 2,300 students completed degrees. While acknowledging self-selection, the initiative demonstrated how individualized support, often from HBCU alumni coaches, helps students overcome challenges, build agency, and navigate complex systems. The program also trained HBCU staff for sustainability, highlighting the profound impact of targeted resources on student success and institutional capacity.

Black Feminist Thought is often treated as a topic that belongs primarily in colleges and universities, academic journals, and theoretical debates.

Thirty years after Higher Learning, a new collection revisits the film’s campus conflicts and what they reveal about colleges and American democracy.