Two African American women college teachers who have achieved success in consulting and entrepreneurship are offered as illustrations of a growing trend among faculty. Faculty with technical knowledge find satisfaction in the appreciation of their skills outside the classroom, and are commonly employed part-time or for a short term or have their…

It is noted that although professional journalists often minimize the value of the journalism major, hiring patterns lean heavily toward graduates of journalism programs and toward students with experience in campus publications, radio, and television. Opportunities in the industry for minorities have steadily increased. (MSE)

Black economists feel even more isolation and frustration than many African American academics and PhDs, because they continually confront the contradictions between economic theory and blacks' daily experience. The proportion of African Americans with PhDs in economics is very low relative to the undergraduates who study economics or have degrees…

Increasingly, African American academics are appointed to political positions in the federal government. This career path can be both beneficial and difficult, dependent on high-level political support and the party in power. Most are short-term jobs, may slow the tenure process, and can adversely affect the faculty-college relationship. Several…

Despite increasing attention paid to minority participation in college teaching and administration, little progress has been made since 1986. Minority academics can serve as role models, advisors, and student advocates. Suggestions for increasing participation rates include: concrete plans for accomplishing goals; goals reflecting institutional…

Minority participation in public policymaking has improved little in recent years, despite an increasingly multicultural population. Programs to prepare minorities for government careers are growing, but additional measures are sought, including minority hiring in growing agencies, development of advocacy groups in government agencies, mentoring…

There are currently 105 African-American presidents of traditionally white colleges and universities, a declining number. Most black presidents head two-year institutions; only 36 head four-year schools. Most presidents of historically black institutions are African Americans. Some attribute the decline to the affirmative action debate. However,…

The most recent annual American Council on Education study of minorities in higher education examined, by race and ethnicity, high school completion and dropout rates and trends in college preparation, educational attainment, college enrollment, degrees conferred, and higher education employment. The report urges colleges and universities to begin…

The new federal welfare reform law limits recipients' college access to one year while on welfare, and requires 20 hours of work a week. Predicting the results of the new regulations is difficult because data are lacking, but many students would lose benefits. The new policy also ignores issues such as child care, transportation, and support…

Three articles explore career opportunities and patterns in higher education for African Americans and other minorities. Articles cover African American research centers, African Americans in senior administrative positions, and tenure. Data on black and Hispanic faculty at doctoral institutions in 1997, noting ethnic distribution and tenure…