HBCU Success Advisory Board

HBCU Success Advisory Board

Tenn. Code. Ann. § 49-7-217(f) allows for the creation of an advisory board for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Success, which may provide recommendations and guidance to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission in the following areas:

• Improvement of the identity, visibility, and distinctive capabilities and overall competitiveness of HBCUs;
• Engagement of the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland security, and education communities in a dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives;
• Improvement of the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the state in reaching its educational goals;
• Elevation of the public awareness of HBCUs; and
• Encouragement of public-private investments in HBCUs.

Board members also serve as ambassadors for HBCU Success, providing a connection to and ongoing exchange of information and ideas with Tennesseans, policymakers, and the broader public.

The Board is comprised of nine voting members who are appointed by the Commission to serve for a three-year term. Currently sitting HBCU presidents serve as ex-officio members of the advisory board. Advisory board meetings are held biannually (approximately during the fall and spring academic semesters).

Typical agenda items include statewide updates (enrollments, academic program development, student experiences, and more), HBCU Presidents’ reports, and primary discussion topic(s) to solicit and secure input from board members. The advisory board does not engage in decision making related to institution personnel, budget, or internal policy-development within Tennessee’s HBCUs.