Jasper Smith is a 2024-25 reporting fellow with an interest in HBCUs, university partnerships, and environmental issues. She is a graduate of Howard University, where she studied media, journalism, and film communications and led The Hilltop, Howard’s student newspaper. You can email her at Jasper.Smith@chronicle.com or follow her at @JasperJSmith_ .
Stories by This Author
The chopping block
The University of North Carolina system released a report on Wednesday detailing how its campuses complied with a directive to eliminate diversity efforts.
Political Calculations
Chadron State College, in the middle of Trump country, is struggling with how much to embrace the Democratic vice presidential candidate, its now-famous alum.
Data
We’ve documented actions taken on dozens of campuses to alter or eliminate jobs, offices, hiring practices, and programs amid mounting political pressure to end identity-conscious recruitment and retention of minority staff and students.
Leadership
After $237-Million Donation Debacle, FAMU’s Interim President Demands Resignation of Leadership Team
A report commissioned by the university found administrators had overlooked red flags before allowing an entrepreneur with a shaky past to present the gift at its commencement ceremony.
Neutral Zone
The prospect of an HBCU graduate in the White House has electrified alumni. The institution’s unusual reliance on Congress leaves administrators in a delicate place.
A Lengthy Process
A series of setbacks has forced students and alumni to hit reset on their reparation efforts.
Leadership
Larry Robinson’s announcement comes in the wake of scrutiny over a gift that seemed too good to be true.