Harvard Expands Partnership With HBCUs, Launches Second Executive Cohort

This month, Harvard University proudly welcomed its second group of presidential fellows hailing from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to partake in the Seminar for New Presidents. These fellows, comprising ten out of fifty-five participants, represent a promising lineage of HBCU leadership and participate through Clark Atlanta University’s HBCU Executive Leadership Institute. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Harvard Graduate School of Education and the Harvard & the Legacy of Slavery Initiative.The seminar equips new presidents with essential skills to navigate challenges such as faculty tenure issues, campus free speech, economic pressures, and student mental health. Judith Block McLaughlin, founder of the Seminar, emphasizes the urgency of equipping new leaders as they confront significant financial and governance decisions from the outset. HBCU presidents frequently face distinct hurdles, and through this seminar, they can find vital support while exchanging insights with their non-HBCU peers. In 1990, McLaughlin identified the necessity for confidential forums for burgeoning presidents to seek guidance and support. Since then, the seminar has aided over 1,500 leaders. As Harvard collaborates with Clark Atlanta University, they aim to enhance HBCU partnerships and build a skilled talent pipeline. (Photo: Harvard University)