Feb 5, 2025 Story by: Editor
Morgan State University is actively investigating the factors behind the decline in Black male enrollment and retention in higher education.
As reported by The Baltimore Sun, the Baltimore-based Historically Black College and University (HBCU) has formed a dedicated task force to address this issue, with the potential to create solutions that could benefit HBCUs nationwide.
Morgan State President David K. Wilson emphasized that the trend is a pressing issue for the university and has also raised concerns among students.
“Morgan has long been a leader in providing access and opportunity for Black males seeking higher education,” Wilson stated. “The ongoing decline in Black male enrollment at HBCUs is a clarion call for action, and we will not stand idly by.”
He further explained, “This task force will engage in rigorous research to understand the forces at play and develop evidence-based strategies to ensure that more Black men not only enroll at Morgan but thrive and complete their degrees.”
Task Force and Leadership
The task force will bring together faculty, researchers, staff, and students in an interdisciplinary effort to develop effective strategies for recruitment, engagement, and retention.
Leading the initiative is Mark Barnes, an associate professor of history and geography, while Michael Sinclair, an associate professor of social work, will serve as co-chair.
The Broader Enrollment Decline at HBCUs
The formation of the task force follows an August 2024 report from the American Institute for Boys and Men, which highlighted a general enrollment decline of 11% at HBCUs since 2010, according to AFROTECH™.
While declining enrollment is a trend across higher education, Black male enrollment at HBCUs has seen a sharper drop—falling by 25%, compared to a 22% decline at all institutions.
Though the percentage difference may seem small, its impact on HBCUs is substantial since Black male students make up a significant portion of their student bodies.
Research and Solutions
Morgan State’s task force will analyze socioeconomic and cultural factors influencing Black male enrollment and identify best practices and successful intervention models. It will also assess the Black male experience at Morgan State and develop recommendations to enhance retention and graduation rates.
“This is a pivotal moment for higher education, and I am honored to serve in this capacity,” Sinclair stated, according to Morgan State. “Addressing the decline in Black male enrollment requires a thoughtful, cross-sectional analysis of the economic, social, and institutional factors at play—and the broader socioeconomic impact on Black families and communities.”
Morgan State became the nation’s third-largest HBCU in the fall of 2024, with an enrollment of 10,739 students—trailing behind North Carolina A&T (14,311 students) and Howard University (13,500 students), per The Sun. However, the percentage of Black male students at Morgan State has dropped from 43% in 2015 to 37% in 2024.
“Our goal is not only to understand why these trends are occurring but to implement meaningful solutions that will empower Black men to see higher education as an attainable and rewarding path,” Sinclair added. Source: AFRO TECH
