Black Women in Higher Education: A General Introduction
AUTHOR: Mouhamadou M. Hoyeck
The results of 18 studies conducted across various schools, colleges, and departments at Howard University indicate that while women are well-represented in several areas, there are disparities in others. According to data from U.S. News & World Report, the student body is mostly comprised of women, with men accounting for less than 35%. Additionally, in the academic year spanning from 2019 to 2022, women made up 55% of the faculty. As of 2021, females occupy five out of fifteen executive positions; however, they constitute a majority among deans (77%). While there has been progress in the representation of women in academia, the disparities become more evident as women move up the ranks from assistant professor to full professor. This trend is consistent with the findings in various studies across different institutions in the US. The underrepresentation of women in senior faculty and some leadership roles is an issue, and it is clear that there is still work to be done to achieve gender equity in higher academic positions. Efforts to address these disparities should focus on not only increasing the number of women in academia but also creating an environment where they have equal opportunities for promotion, research funding, and leadership roles.