Brown appoints first HBCU presidential fellow
New England Council member, Brown University has appointed Elfred A. Pinkard as its first-ever HBCU presidential fellow to strengthen efforts and expand Brown’s relationships with other historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).
Pinkard will create a consortium of universities to encourage collaborative research, faculty development, and student exchange opportunities and increase the number of HBCU undergraduates attending graduate school. The initiative also aims to build infrastructure capacity at participating HBCUs and “inspire leadership in higher education and policy development.”
“HBCUs are a special sector in the unique mosaic of American higher education,” Pinkard said in a statement. “But the historical record is replete with examples of uneven resources, a challenging relationship with the federal government, and the inability of many HBCUs to get before the philanthropic community to request the kind of support that builds financial strength. And yet HBCUs have persisted and been successful in graduating very impactful alumni.”
The New England Council congratulates Mr. Pinkard for his efforts to strengthen and expand Brown’s relationships with other historically Black schools.
Read more from Brown University.