Few remember the sale of a Saint Augustine’s University (SAU) -owned golf course in 2016 under former president Everett Ward, which released a valuable asset from the university’s holdings.
The article tells a sad story for what was an outstanding institution and the damages done by some of it's own graduates. A big problem with some of our private HBCU is the lack of accountability for their Board of Trustees and the fact that they are very much autonomous and have Bylaws to insulate their members. It takes a very strong and vocal body of Alumni and strong administration to stand up to a corrupt Board of Trustees. Once St. Augustine's University is lost, because of a loss of accreditation and huge debt, it is very unlikely that the University will recover.
So true! It's a sin what some of these boards are doing. Decisions without facts or merit all for likes and parking spaces and nothing that advances the institution and most importantly provides a space for true educational advancement that our students so deserve!
Wouldn't you say this is an extension of the Corporate Raiders into the University System. Strip the assets, fire employees and let the chips fall where they may while they profit and move on. In addition it fits with the Right Wing attack on education.
The higher education landscape is changing and not for the best. There is a need for someone with the strategic prowess to navigate the new realities and frontier. As mentioned in the article and by Roosevelt, more accountability, more substance than style, and experience is needed to strive and not just survive. Also, we need to be disruptor and innovators in not only output, but outcome based results for HBCUs. Without this and those other qualities mentioned by HBCU Digest and Roosevelt, there will be more obituaries of HBCUs .
Saint Augustine's isn't an isolated case. It's a stark warning for ALL HBCUs! We're falling victim to a leadership selection process obsessed with flash, not substance. Shiny new personalities without a real understanding of higher education, leaving a trail of financial ruin and broken dreams.
While HBCUs face unique challenges, the entire higher education landscape is shifting beneath our feet. Here are the harsh realities:
• Predatory vultures are circling!
• PWIs are collapsing too, at an alarming rate. This isn't a good sign for HBCUs already struggling.
• Broken leadership is the HBCU Achilles' heel: Flawed selection processes trap these institutions in a cycle of unaccountable boards and inexperienced presidents.
Just imagine a school sinking in quicksand, reaching for a hand adorned with a flashy ring, but with no strength to pull them out. That's what HBCUs are doing by focusing on charisma over competence.
Alumni, you are the life raft who can stop this madness! Here's your action plan:
1st Reject the glitter, and demand the grit! Advocate for a selection process that prioritizes proven track records and a deep understanding of financial management and student success.
2nd Expose the "celebrity president" myth! Leadership isn't about charm; it's about hard work and strategic vision.
3rd Demand experienced leaders who roll up their sleeves! HBCUs need presidents who understand the trenches, not just the red carpets.
4th Shine a light on the broken selection process! Expose the flaws that keep the wrong people in charge.
5th Demand transparency! Advocate for open board meetings and a focus on long-term plans, not short-term gains.
6th Break the cycle of unaccountability! Hold boards responsible for their choices. Push for leaders with proven track records, not connections.
This isn't about ego, it's about survival! Together, alumni MUST ensure HBCUs are led by those who will fight for their future, not squander their legacy. This isn't just about one school; it's about the future of Black education! Together, we can build a new path, one focused on strong, gritty leadership and student success.
The article tells a sad story for what was an outstanding institution and the damages done by some of it's own graduates. A big problem with some of our private HBCU is the lack of accountability for their Board of Trustees and the fact that they are very much autonomous and have Bylaws to insulate their members. It takes a very strong and vocal body of Alumni and strong administration to stand up to a corrupt Board of Trustees. Once St. Augustine's University is lost, because of a loss of accreditation and huge debt, it is very unlikely that the University will recover.
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So true! It's a sin what some of these boards are doing. Decisions without facts or merit all for likes and parking spaces and nothing that advances the institution and most importantly provides a space for true educational advancement that our students so deserve!
One day I am writing a book.
Wouldn't you say this is an extension of the Corporate Raiders into the University System. Strip the assets, fire employees and let the chips fall where they may while they profit and move on. In addition it fits with the Right Wing attack on education.
The higher education landscape is changing and not for the best. There is a need for someone with the strategic prowess to navigate the new realities and frontier. As mentioned in the article and by Roosevelt, more accountability, more substance than style, and experience is needed to strive and not just survive. Also, we need to be disruptor and innovators in not only output, but outcome based results for HBCUs. Without this and those other qualities mentioned by HBCU Digest and Roosevelt, there will be more obituaries of HBCUs .
Saint Augustine's isn't an isolated case. It's a stark warning for ALL HBCUs! We're falling victim to a leadership selection process obsessed with flash, not substance. Shiny new personalities without a real understanding of higher education, leaving a trail of financial ruin and broken dreams.
While HBCUs face unique challenges, the entire higher education landscape is shifting beneath our feet. Here are the harsh realities:
• Predatory vultures are circling!
• PWIs are collapsing too, at an alarming rate. This isn't a good sign for HBCUs already struggling.
• Broken leadership is the HBCU Achilles' heel: Flawed selection processes trap these institutions in a cycle of unaccountable boards and inexperienced presidents.
Just imagine a school sinking in quicksand, reaching for a hand adorned with a flashy ring, but with no strength to pull them out. That's what HBCUs are doing by focusing on charisma over competence.
Alumni, you are the life raft who can stop this madness! Here's your action plan:
1st Reject the glitter, and demand the grit! Advocate for a selection process that prioritizes proven track records and a deep understanding of financial management and student success.
2nd Expose the "celebrity president" myth! Leadership isn't about charm; it's about hard work and strategic vision.
3rd Demand experienced leaders who roll up their sleeves! HBCUs need presidents who understand the trenches, not just the red carpets.
4th Shine a light on the broken selection process! Expose the flaws that keep the wrong people in charge.
5th Demand transparency! Advocate for open board meetings and a focus on long-term plans, not short-term gains.
6th Break the cycle of unaccountability! Hold boards responsible for their choices. Push for leaders with proven track records, not connections.
This isn't about ego, it's about survival! Together, alumni MUST ensure HBCUs are led by those who will fight for their future, not squander their legacy. This isn't just about one school; it's about the future of Black education! Together, we can build a new path, one focused on strong, gritty leadership and student success.