UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State faculty and staff seeking to discover ways to build and improve partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), as well as community members seeking to learn the importance of HBCUs, are invited to attend a day of conversation and connection at the Graduate School’s upcoming event, “The Power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities: Establishing and Strengthening Partnerships,” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Feb. 26 at the Penn Stater Hotel & Conference Center.
Advance registration is required by Feb. 19.
The event will be hosted by Levon T. Esters, Penn State’s vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School, and Marybeth Gasman, Samuel DeWitt Proctor endowed chair in education at Rutgers University. The two scholars recently co-authored a book, “HBCU: The Power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” which was released Jan. 23 through Johns Hopkins University Press.
At the forum, attendees can expect to discover how HBCUs play a critical role in U.S. higher education by providing high-quality educational experiences for underrepresented students, and learn about the untapped value that HBCUs and HBCU faculty bring to research, education and outreach collaborations.
The event will also allow attendees the opportunity to learn from Penn State faculty who have developed and successfully maintained partnerships with faculty from HBCUs and other Minority-Serving institutions, as well as hear directly from current Penn State students and faculty who are HBCU alumni.
The forum will conclude with a book question-and-answer session followed by a reception and book signing.
“I could not be more excited to help lead this exciting and informative event with my co-author, Marybeth Gasman,” Esters said. “This forum and panel discussion will provide an opportunity to spread knowledge of how to build strong and successful partnerships with these HBCUs. I’m looking forward to helping bring even more awareness to the great work of these universities.”
Those interested in reading Gasman and Esters’ new release can expect to find a book filled with extensive research and personal stories from current students, HBCU graduates and university presidents, among others on their time with HBCUs, said Esters. It also showcases how HBCUs have mentored generations of leaders and scholars, and fostered a collaborative culture of success and empowerment, highlighting the unique culture and identities of these universities.
"Those who read the book will come away truly understanding the power of these institutions, how they contribute to develop the spirit of mentorship in individuals, how they contribute to social and economic mobility of individuals, and the prominent role these institutions have had in cultivating leaders across all spectrums,” Esters said on the book’s release date. “There have been a lot of books and pieces written on HBCUs, but this book really speaks to the power of these institutions and how important they are to our educational landscape.”
For more information on the event and the link to register, visit the Graduate School website.