Initial reporting highlighted a concerning decline in Black men enrolling in college, particularly at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This follow-up report details the response by administrators at various institutions and checks on the progress made. The decline is viewed as concerning. Data suggests it can lead to reduced economic mobility. Additionally, it can strain college budgets and negatively impact family formation and generational wealth. As Associate Professor Malcolm Drury explained, a lack of Black men on campus stifles the type of relationships. It also impacts community building. These are crucial for strengthening Black families and communities.
Morgan State University has experienced record overall enrollment. The university welcomed over 10,500 students in the 2024 academic year. Nearly 11,500 students enrolled in 2025. Despite this success, the school noted a concurrent decline in the enrollment of Black men. In Fall 2024, Black men represented 37% of the student body. There was improvement in 2025. There was a 9% increase in Black male undergraduate students. Additionally, there was a 24% increase in graduate students. Nevertheless, the numbers are still not considered ideal.
In response, Morgan State University President Dr. David Wilson formed a task force to investigate and offer solutions. Dr. Michael Sinclair and Dr. Mark Barnes, members of the task force, explained their three-pronged strategy. The first part is admissions and recruitment, ensuring they are targeting Black men. The second part is on-campus support, establishing activities to support Black male development once they are enrolled. The third part is graduation, making sure they succeed and achieve their goals. They also stress that the timing of engagement is as crucial as the method. At the institutional level, Morgan State supports students through programs like SMOOTH (Strong men overcoming obstacles through hard work). This program provides mentorship and fellowship. It fosters a greater sense of connection and community.
Other institutions are also developing strategies to address the enrollment challenge. Howard University reported that Black men made up just 19% of its student population. The university is actively engaging high school students with its “Kings on Campus” event. This initiative brings over 100 high schoolers to the historic college for workshops, motivational speeches, and mindfulness sessions. Activities like “Burning of Fears” aim to build the educational pipeline earlier. Simultaneously, on the campus of North Carolina A&T, the Aggie Men’s Program (Male Empowerment Network) provides male students with mentors. It also supports them with programming. The university noted that after the program was formed, enrollment data showed a steady reversal. There was a prior decline in Black male enrollment.
The enrollment challenge extends beyond HBCUs, with the national landscape being influenced by policy changes. The Associated Press conducted an analysis. It revealed a drop in Black student enrollment at several Ivy League universities. This followed the Supreme Court’s ruling prohibiting affirmative action in admissions. Columbia’s freshman class saw a drop from 20% Black students in 2023 to 13% in 2025. Harvard’s percentage decreased from 18% to 11.5%.
Smith College stood as a notable exception, with the number of Black students enrolled actually rising. Vice President of Enrollment Joanna May attributed this outlier status to a significantly increased yield rate among admitted Black students. She argued that the college’s historic mission of access and academic excellence resonates strongly with students of color. Smith College maintains one of the best financial aid programs in the country. The program meets the full demonstrated need of every student without loans. The college recently announced the Next 150 Pledge. This pledge makes tuition free for students from families making up to $150,000 annually. This commitment to socioeconomic diversity helps all low-income students, including students of color, gain access.
Leave a Reply