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Phoenix Rising: HBCU Leadership During a Period of Change

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Examining Effective Practices at Minority-Serving Institutions

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Abstract

Despite years of discrimination historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) continue to educate students from underrepresented backgrounds. Far too often, pundits focus on their struggles without highlighting HBCUs’ important role in higher education. Unfortunately, higher education officials, policymakers, and researchers have failed to examine what makes some HBCUs so successful. Frequently they reinforce the narrative that the institutions are doomed to fail. Thus, developing a counter-narrative that challenges stigmas and misconceptions is critical. For this reason, this chapter will investigate (1) what steps HBCUs are taking to develop a new generation of university leaders and (2) how Kouzes and Posner’s five practices of exemplary leadership are utilized by Cheyney University President Aaron Walton to change the school’s trajectory. The chapter also includes recommendations.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational Leadership & Higher Education, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, USA

    Larry J. Walker

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  1. Larry J. Walker
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Howard University, Washington, DC, USA

    Robert T. Palmer

  2. United Negro College Fund’s Institute for Capacity Building, Washington, DC, USA

    DeShawn Preston

  3. Southern Education Foundation, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Amanda Assalone

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Walker, L.J. (2019). Phoenix Rising: HBCU Leadership During a Period of Change. In: Palmer, R., Preston, D., Assalone, A. (eds) Examining Effective Practices at Minority-Serving Institutions. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16609-0_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16609-0_3

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  • Publisher Name: Palgrave Macmillan, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-16608-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-16609-0

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