Philanthropy and Education Series Editor Marybeth Gasman, Professor of Higher Education, Graduate School of Education, University of Pennsylvania, USA This series highlights first-rate scholarship related to education and philan- thropy, attracting the top authors writing in the field. Philanthropy is broadly defined to include time, talent, and treasure. In addition to traditional forms and definitions of philanthropy, the series highlights philanthropy in com- munities of color as well as philanthropy among women and LGBT com- munities. Books in the series focus on fund-raising as it is an integral part of increasing philanthropy and has an ever-increasing market. Philanthropy in Black Education: A Fateful Hour Creating the Atlanta University System By Vida L. Avery Saving Black Colleges: Leading Change in a Complex Organization By Alvin J. Schexnider This page intentionally left blank Saving Black Colleges Leading Change in a Complex Organization Alvin J.. Schexnider SAVINGBLACKCOLLEGES Copyright © Alvin J. Schexnider, 2013. Corrected Printing 2013 Softcover reprint of the hardcover 1st edition 2013 978-1-137-32584-6 All rights reserved. First published in 2013 by PALGRAVE MACMILLAN® in the United States— a division of St. Martin’s Press LLC, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010. Where this book is distributed in the UK, Europe and the rest of the world, this is by Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited, registered in England, company number 785998, of Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG21 6XS. Palgrave Macmillan is the global academic imprint of the above companies and has companies and representatives throughout the world. P algrave® and Macmillan® are registered trademarks in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe and other countries. ISBN 978-1-349-45956-8 ISBN 978-1-137-32346-0 (eBook) DOI 10.1057/9781137323460 Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Schexnider, Alvin J. Saving Black colleges : leading change in a complex organization / by Alvin J. Schexnider. pages cm.—(Philanthropy and education) Includes bibliographical references and index. 1. African American universities and colleges. 2. African American universities and colleges—Administration. 3. African American universities and colleges—Planning. 4. African American universities and colleges— Finance. 5. Educational change—United States. I. Title. LC2781.S36 2013 378.7308996073—dc23 2013008647 A catalogue record of the book is available from the British Library. Design by Newgen Knowledge Works (P) Ltd., Chennai, India. First edition: September 2013 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 For Virginia, Alvin, and Elena This page intentionally left blank Contents Series Editor’s Preface i x Author’s Preface x i 1 Discovery 1 2 Learning the Ropes 1 3 3 Leading Change 27 4 The Plot Thickens 4 7 5 The End of a Short-Lived Era 87 6 Black Colleges in the Post-Brown Era 109 7 The HBCU Presidency: Challenges and Opportunities 137 Appendix 1: Strategic Framework for Change 159 Appendix 2: Key Accomplishments 169 Notes 175 Bibliography 1 81 Index 185 This page intentionally left blank Series Editor’s Preface Alvin Schexnider is an exemplar leader—a man of great integrity. He cares deeply about the future of our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and has worked for decades to make them stronger. Schexnider has held many positions within HBCUs, including serving as the Chancellor at Winston Salem State University. In Saving Black Colleges, he chronicles his experiences at HBCUs with clarity and honesty. Although some supporters of HBCUs may not like everything he says, it is important to understand that Schexnider is being real and honest in order to improve HBCUs. He captures their strengths and calls out their shortcomings. Along the way, he admits to his own faults and bad decisions—something that good, strong, brave leaders do. Schexnider’s book should be read by anyone seeking to become a president of an HBCU or any institution. He captures the many roles of a president and the culture and character of many HBCUs, espe- cially public HBCUs. Perhaps what I admire the most about S aving Black Colleges is that it is hopeful and wants the best for HBCUs. Yes, Schexnider is clear about what’s wrong, but he is also explicit about the strengths of HBCUs and what needs to be done to enhance them. Saving Black Colleges delves into three of the very most important issues for HBCUs—board governance, fund-raising, and leadership— and does so with tenacity. I am proud to have it as part of the Palgrave series on Fund-raising and Philanthropy in Higher Education. Marybeth Gasman, University of Pennsylvania Series Editor