Journalism at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are facing challenges to their continued existence on several fronts.  One is fiscally, as federal funding for education has been cut and the responsibility for paying for higher education has been levied on students and parents.  Another challenge is the amount of endowment dollars available to them and lastly, there are questions today as to if HBCUs are still needed in a society that has allowed African-Americans to attend Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). The third are the challenges placed on institutions, as a whole, and specific departments, in attaining and maintain accreditation.  Finally, how are administrators handling these challenges during the pandemic and their own health and well-being?

This book explores journalism accreditation at HBCUs and is informed by many years of research into how journalism units have acquired and lost accreditation. The book also examines Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) and how they are navigating accreditation and financial challenges. The book will be of interest to faculty, students, scholars and administrators of journalism studies.

“In 11 succinct chapters, Dr. Jerry Crawford II delineates the trials, triumphs and tribulations of governance and accreditation in Historically Black Colleges and Universities. This book should be essential reading for scholars, students and everyone else pursuing excellence in higher education.”

—Deb Aikat, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and 2023 President of Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

“In this much needed and timely volume, Dr. Jerry Crawford II focuses on Historically Black Colleges and Universities with journalism or communication programs that sought professional accreditation from the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communication. Covering a nearly 40-year timespan, the book is well researched and well documented, including both a historical account of educational accreditation and an examination of the challenges that journalism administrators have encountered during the COVID-19pandemic. The book is a must-read for administrators and faculty of HBCUs, which have received or will seek ACEJMC accreditation. It also is enlightening to scholars of predominantly white institutions and minority-serving institutions.” 

—Hong Cheng, Ph.D., professor and dean, School of Communication, Loyola University Chicago 

“In the ever-changing world of higher education, there’s no greater challenge for colleges and universities than to offer a credible, respected, dollar-worthy degree and accreditation provides that valuable stamp of approval. Journalism at Historically Black Colleges and Universities-Governance and Accreditation offers a valuable, thoughtful perspective on the myriad challenges faced by minority-serving institutions today to earn and maintain that accreditation.” 

—Barbara Hines, Professor Emerita, Howard University

Dr. Jerry Crawford II is an Associate Professor and the Director of the Multicultural Program in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas. He teaches graduate and undergraduate classes consisting of mass media theory, ethics, multimedia reporting, and special topics. Dr. Crawford has published over 20 peer-reviewed journal articles, book chapter, and conference proceedings (combined) and has presented his work at over a dozen conferences – receiving paper awards.  He is the immediate past chair of the Professional Freedom & Responsibility (PF&R) Committee for the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC) and served on the association’s Board of Directors.  He has won several teaching awards at the University of Kansas, including Mortar Board Award (2018). His research interest is the governance and accreditation of units/departments/schools of journalism, primarily those located atHistorically Black Colleges and Universities.  Dr. Crawford’s research is informed by a wealth of experiences - having attended, studied, visited, and conducted research at over 70 HBCUs.  He has over 25 years of professional media experience in management.