Howard University Taking Scholarships...

ReturningFavor
Mon, 17 Jul 2017 20:23:24 +0000

In the end I think that Howard is, as @NuScholar advocates, a good university. Yet it has substantial room for improvement. The two are not mutually exclusive. Under the new Presidents’ reign a couple of things have been addressed. One of those things is scholarships.

The Scholarships…rather than automatic, all but the very top on seems to now have a need based component. I agree with this, but also think automatic $ for top students, wealthy or not, is a wise move. You must do something to get top kids in the door. Even those from wealthy families, if they have top grades and scores (understandably in part do to their exposure and backgrounds) need and deserve a carrot. Those same kids are coming from the 1st and sometimes 2nd generation of america’s very first wealthy African american families.
You want those students as your alumni, as they bring connections, build a strong legacy, and increase endowment. I think @VANDEMORY1342 and I disagree on the impact of this, as I believe it is huge (big endowments provide money for: research which leads to top professors; scholarships which bring in top students; facilities which pull in those who want to see where the 40k+ price tag is going; alumni support and connections with lead to jobs and increase reputation).

Another thing is the long known about and joked about messy administration. The person who helped get Shaw university back on its feet was just appointed as Chief Operating Officer. Many have been let go in other departments. This will be a challenge of monumental size, to change a history or real or perceived disorganization and at times ineptness, but at least it is starting. New big hires are not only internal, which is good.

Admissions? HBCUs want to give those with potential a chance, but the range of outstanding top students to highly struggling ones is a big gap at Howard. I have no idea how to address this or if there even needs to be a plan to do so. But if it does not, they will never, ever break the top 100 which, I agree with @VANDEMORY1342, becomes a more noticeable and important stride.