The University was recently ranked 35th on the list of Top 50 Colleges for African-Americans released by Black Enterprise magazine Monday.
According to Tanisha Sykes, consumer affairs editor of Black Enterprise magazine and project manager of the Top 50 list, the evaluation process began with 1,423 colleges and universities. The schools were evaluated by over 500 academic professionals in higher education, including presidents, chancellors and directors of student affairs. The experts analyzed and ranked the schools based on six variables: black student graduation rate, academic environment, social environment, total black undergraduate enrollment, black undergraduate students as a percentage of total undergraduates and ranking on the 2004 Black Enterprise Top Colleges list.
"To eliminate bias and slant, we weighted six variables so that one particular variable does not tip the scales," Sykes said. "But, the variable given the heaviest weighting was black graduation rates."
This factor is what Dean of Admissions Jack Blackburn believes sets the University apart from other schools.
"The University has had the highest graduation rate of African-Americans of all public colleges in the nation for 12 years running," he said.
Former Student Council President Jequeatta Upton said there is a strong relationship between minority students and the administration.
"[The University] is supportive of minority students, which encourages high qualified minority students to come here," Upton said.
Bill Harvey, vice president and chief officer for diversity and equity, attributes the University's positive evaluation to its atmosphere, including the administration's zero tolerance stance against racial discrimination.
"It is a hopeful sign that we had no incidents to speak of in the spring," Harvey said. "I hope that was a response of the University community signaling the unwillingness to accept such activity."
According to Harvey, the Top 50 ranking affirms what the University represents.
"The University wants all to grow and to thrive," Harvey said. "[The University] challenges all of us --African-Americans, whites, Latinos and Asians -- to try and intentionally create an atmosphere in which everyone learns from one another and one that is supportive of individuals who are different. We appreciate diversity and learn from difference."
Blackburn and Harvey both mentioned the importance of student self-governance and the ability of students to take an active role in their community.
"Black students come here and see that they can take on important leadership roles," Blackburn said. "Every student has control over his or her own fate."
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