Leading through change: HBCU presidents focus on the future

Members of the Black College Fund’s Council of Presidents participate in a panel on Junteenth campus celebrations at NAAMSCU/University Senate Joint Meeting on June 19. Photo by Adam Bowers

ATLANTA — The Council of Presidents of the 11 United Methodist-related Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) met online for its fall meeting, Nov. 18, to discuss campus growth initiatives amid growing challenges within the academy; stemming from attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion; and shrinking federal funding for education.   

In his opening remarks, General Secretary Roland Fernandes reinforced The United Methodist Church’s and GBHEM’s firm and longstanding commitment to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in the academy, highlighting the vital role of UMC-affiliated HBCUs. He also announced that GBHEM had set aside $4 million from reserves to help the schools and would be re-examining existing disbursement formulas for the Black College Fund to provide for the greatest impact and equity in their distribution.  

“Part of the goal of redesignating $4 million for HBCUs is to provide a cushion for these institutions dealing with 47% reductions in apportioned funds for this quadrennium,” said Roland Fernandes, general secretary for GBHEM and Global Ministries. “But the ultimate goal is how we look at alternative streams of support, because apportionments are not going to be the long-term answer.” 

The funding decision comes as GBHEM and Global Ministries advance their This Moment Matters campaign, a faith-based response to global instability, humanitarian crises, attacks on equitable education and shifting political landscapes. The campaign aims to raise $17 million to support five priority areas: agriculture and food security, education, global health, migration and peace.   

He lifted up alignment efforts between Higher Education and Ministry and Global Ministries as offering new possibilities for innovation, noting an ongoing conversation between Meharry Medical College and Global Ministries’ about a specific collaboration.  

Meharry Medical College President Dr. James Hildreth underscored the need for bold vision. “You don’t have to be big to be a leader. Technology allows us to lead from where we are,” he said. 

Several schools shared how they were leveraging technology and artificial intelligence to “leapfrog” into the future, noting that their donors want to see that they are future ready.  

President Dr. Herman Felton of Wiley University concurred, saying that listening to his colleagues was reinforcing his own visioning process. “That’s where it starts, and it has really inspired me to be a lot more courageous. It is my job as a president to figure out what that something is, and how I make that valuable.” 

Campus updates included progress toward ambitious admission goals and capital campaigns, and innovative new initiatives. One such example is Bethune-Cookman University’s move toward a fully online learning platform and new educational offerings in AI and cybersecurity, as well as Dillard University’s use of AI to help with operational tasks.  

The council concluded its meeting by electing officers to serve for the 2026 – 2028 term:  

• President: Dr. Dwaun J. Warmack, president of Claflin University;  
• Vice President: Dr. Herman J. Helton Jr., president of Wiley University;  
• Secretary: Dr. Melva K. Wallace, president and CEO of Huston-Tillotson University 
• Assistant Secretary:  Dr. Monique Guillory, president of Dillard University.  

As challenges to education persist, these leaders remain steadfast in their mission to prepare the next generation of leaders for the church in the world, ensuring that United Methodist-related HBCUs endure and thrive with vision and renewed purpose.  

View the full list of 11 United Methodist related Historically Black Colleges and Universities.