Learning Resources

Abstract: In higher education philanthropy, alumni giving is a tremendously vital aspect, especially for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Throughout the history of alumni giving, though, HBCUs have not enjoyed the same success in soliciting and cultivating donations as Primarily White Institutions (PWIs) have. We compiled literature and conducted snowball sampling of private HBCU alumni to understand the motivations for giving or not to their alma maters.

Abstract: Bennett College, a historically Black private women's college founded in 1873, underwent two periods of growth in the 1920s and 1930s, resulting in a collection of handsome, Georgian Revival-style buildings sited around a rectangular quadrangle with double rows of oak and magnolia trees lining its east and west sides. Funding helped the college to develop a preservation plan for its 25-acre historic core, designated a Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places, in order to identify an overall preservation strategy and serve as the basis for all future conservation work.

Abstract: Together with Morehouse and Spelman Colleges (both also awarded Campus Heritage grants), Clark Atlanta is part of the Atlanta University Center (AUC), the largest consortium of historically Black institutions in the US. Clark Atlanta was formed in 1988 with the merger of Atlanta University, chartered in 1867, and Clark College, founded in 1877. Despite the historic significance of the buildings on the campus, little was known about aspects of their original appearance or previous alterations. Clark Atlanta conducted archival research to document its historic resources, examine overall building conditions, and develop treatment guidelines.

Abstract:

A historically Black private college chartered in 1930, Dillard University occupies a unified, axially designed campus in the Beaux Arts tradition. The ten white brick buildings that comprise the historic campus surround a large open quadrangle delineated by two long rows of live oak trees, the Avenue of the Oaks. A grant will allow the university to assemble detailed documentation on their historic buildings and landscape, which will serve as the basis for future rehabilitation projects.

Abstract: Spelman College, founded in 1881, is renowned for its long history of providing quality education for African American women to prepare them for leadership roles. The college campus consists of more than thirty-two acres and twenty-five buildings on the west side of Atlanta. Spelman's campus houses eleven buildings completed before 1927, several of which are included in the National Register of Historic Places designation Spelman shares with neighboring colleges. It is one of five institutions that make up the Atlanta University Center (AUC), the largest consortium of higher educational facilities for Black students in the world with a total population of 16,000 students. The Campus Heritage grant allowed Spelman to complete a campus preservation plan and, ultimately, to apply for National Historic Landmark Status.

Abstract: The range of potential STEM careers is growing rapidly, yet people of color are underrepresented in STEM professions. New academic facilities can promote these careers through recruiting, retaining, and connecting with undergraduate talent. This session will explore an integrated approach to planning, design, and branding an HBCU's new STEM facility, including carefully developed digital messaging, to encourage student awareness of STEM academic pathways and professional opportunities. Come hear about strategies and lessons learned in working with architects, graphic designers, and digital content providers to develop this environment.

Abstract: Recently, education researchers have emphasized the redesign of learning spaces to better accommodate pedagogical change. In particular, studies have found evidence of the relationship between the built environment and learning outcomes—however, no current studies have deliberately focused on the “minority majority” feature of America’s future student composition.

This pilot study was conducted to evaluate how space contributes to the learning outcomes of a demographically diverse class of students at Morgan State University, a Historically Black Institution. Based on the neurobiological literature on environmental enrichment, the authors hypothesized that an enriched learning environment will correlate with increased student activity (directed movement) and engagement (with other students, with room features) and result in significantly improved learning outcomes for an ethnically diverse student group.

Abstract: Universities, like other organizations, are affected by many interrelated influences and systems. In the early 1980s, because of its below average freshmen-to-sophomore year retention rates for an institution of its type, large developmental enrollment, and poor graduation rates, Louisiana State University and A & M (LSU) did not compare to other major state universities in terms of student success rates. Using a systems theory approach to analyzing the affect of inputs on outputs, this article describes the efforts that were made to transform the quality and completion rates of undergraduate students at LSU by changing the criteria for the admission of new freshmen.