The year 2024 has seen the release of a diverse array of new publications that address various aspects of higher education, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), standardized testing, free speech, and leadership within institutions facing contemporary challenges.
Notable Higher Education Books
One significant title is The Resilient University: How Purpose and Inclusion Drive Student Success, authored by Freeman A. Hrabowski III, Peter H. Henderson, Lynne C. Schaefer, and Philip J. Rous. This book provides an exploration of effective university leadership, drawing on experiences from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. It particularly reflects on the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic and the societal unrest following George Floyd’s death. The authors emphasize key attributes of successful university administration, such as vision, resilience, and hope.
Another important work is College Sports: A History by Eric A. Moyen and John Thelin. This book offers a thorough examination of intercollegiate athletics, charting its development from 19th-century intramural events to its current contentious state within American higher education. The authors address critical issues, including the commercialization of sports and the structural challenges that colleges face in managing their athletic programs.
Additionally, Contingent Faculty and the Remaking of Higher Education: A Labor History, edited by Eric Fure-Slocum and Claire Goldstene, investigates the increasing prevalence of contingent faculty, who now represent more than half of college and university instructors. The collection of essays included in this volume delves into the academic, economic, and social ramifications of this trend, highlighting the challenges and efforts aimed at achieving greater stability for faculty in academia.
The Black Family’s Guide to College Admissions, 2nd Edition, authored by Timothy L. Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown, focuses on the specific obstacles faced by Black students in the college admissions process. This revised edition introduces new chapters addressing mental health and the effects of technology while offering practical advice for navigating the admissions landscape.
For insights into the Black college experience, HBCU Made: A Celebration of the Black College Experience, edited by Ayesha Rascoe, presents essays from various prominent alumni who reflect on their time at HBCUs.
Additional noteworthy titles include Academic Writing as If Readers Matter by Leonard Cassuto, which offers targeted writing guidance for academics, and Campus Free Speech: A Pocket Guide by Cass R. Sunstein, which examines issues of free speech in educational environments.
These publications contribute valuable perspectives on the current landscape of higher education, engaging with ongoing dialogues about equity, governance, and the future trajectory of academic institutions.
(Source: Forbes)