Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Success Strategic Plan, FY18-19

Through robust research and analysis, innovative programming, and meaningful convening, the Director of HBCU Success will advocate for and pursue equity in state policies on behalf of Tennessee’s historically black institutions, thereby exposing state leaders to the positive economic, educational, and workforce impacts of TN HBCUs and building a community of informed, devoted TN HBCU supporters across sectors and industries.

Further, in keeping with THEC’s core vision of increasing the number of Tennesseans with a postsecondary credential, the Director of HBCU Success will also work more broadly towards closing persistent equity gaps across various demographics, including (but not limited to) socioeconomic, geographic, and racial disparities in educational attainment.

Goals Critical tasks Strengthening the capacity of • Identify an inventory of state programs for which HBCUs are eligible HBCUs to participate in state • Determine requirements for future participation and bring key programs. stakeholders together to develop implementation plan • Pursue funding – through state, federal, and philanthropic sources – for initiatives on HBCU campuses Fostering enduring private- • Classify and organize HBCU institutions by academic programming sector initiatives and public- and research focus, with an eye towards collaboration points private partnerships while • Organize an HBCU Career/internship fair, particularly spotlighting promoting specific areas and companies headquartered and/or operating in TN centers of academic research • Form working relationships with Nashville Chamber of Commerce, and programmatic excellence Nashville Black Chamber of Commerce, Urban League, and others throughout all HBCUs Improving the availability, • Create policy library/database – policy related to HBCUs, students of dissemination, and quality of color, and other minority serving institutions (MSIs) information concerning HBCUs • Curation of an online presence through a regularly updated website to inform public policy and that spotlights institutional achievements and HBCU Success progress practice Sharing administrative and • Annual HBCU Leadership Summit/Retreat programmatic practices within • HBCU Student Success Collaborative community of practice the consortium for the benefit of all Exploring new ways of • Develop unified policy agenda for HBCU institutions, as well as for improving the relationship closing attainment gaps across the higher education sector between the state and HBCUs • Raise visibility and awareness: HBCU Days at the Capitol

American Baptist College Fisk University Knoxville College Lane College LeMoyne-Owen College Meharry Medical College Tennessee State University