- Conduct, sponsor, and disseminate interdisciplinary empirical research on topics of particular significance to HBCUs.
About
Mission and Goals
The mission of the Center for HBCU Research, Leadership, and Policy is to bring together researchers and practitioners to support a thriving HBCU ecosystem. Our goals are to:
- Produce empirical research studies and offer programs that document the collective strength of HBCUs.
- Illuminate how HBCUs, as academic and cultural institutions, have challenged formal and informal structures intended to restrict Black opportunity and possibility
- Create an inclusive HBCU research network that promotes professional, institutional and scholarly collaboration.
Our Team
Melanie Carter, Ph.D.
Associate Provost & Director
Ebonierose Wade-Ndiaye, Ed.D.
Associate Director for Administration & Programs
Pyper Harvey, MBA
Communications Specialist
Kwame Jones
Program Manager
The Center's goals are grounded in three areas:

Center Goal I: Research

Center Goal II: Leadership
- Create formal collaborative initiatives among institutions based on shared priorities, strategic goals, and commitment to the success of HBCUs.
- Offer credit and non-credit leadership development programs to current and aspirant HBCU administrators and faculty.

Center Goal III: Policy
- Advance policy discourse and action that is aligned with HBCU’s mission, priorities, and goals through engagement with external stakeholders, networks, and organizations.
- Provide expert consultation to HBCUs and policymakers in critical areas (i.e., accreditation, fundraising, student success, academic planning, enrollment management, etc.)
Explore the Center
HBCU Center Programs Alignment with Howard Forward
The HBCU Center Goals
- Affirm: Affirming the centrality of HBCUs in the production and dissemination of knowledge.(Research)
- Amplify: Amplifying HBCUs as exemplars of institutional resilience and agents of social challenge and change. (Leadership)
- Advocate: Advocating for perspectives, policies, and practices that are inclusive, just, and transformative.(Policy)
Strategic Priority I: Enhance Academic Excellence
- Research, Practice and Graduate Student Affiliate Roles
- Executive Leadership Certificate Programs
- HBCU Student Success Collaborative
Strategic Priority II: Inspire New Knowledge
- Research and Grant Initiatives
- HBCU Situations and Solutions Series
- Annual Policy Forum/ Report
- Policy Conference
Strategic Priority III: Serve the Community
- Turning Pages: Author Talk Series
- Lucy D. Slowe Institute
- HBCU Center Research Network (HCRN)
- "Gather Around" Newsletter
- Partnership
- Student Success Collaborative