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In this edited collection, the authors grapple with both the strengths and challenges that HBCUs face as the nation´s demographics change, from their place in American society and growing diversity on HBCU campuses to class and elitism issues to study abroad and honors programs.

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Introduction; Marybeth Gasman and Felecia Commodore 1. Black Colleges, Media, and the Power of Storytelling; Quinton Stroud 2. Spelman College: A Case Study of Student Retention Strategies; Sakinah I. Rahman 3. The Crisis: Decreasing Male Enrollment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Matthew Nelson and Phillip Scotton 4. Three Layers of Underrepresentation: Academic Pipeline Issues for African Americans; Ufuoma Abiola 5. White Faces in Black Places: HBCUs and the White Faculty Experience; Atiya Strothers 6. HBCU Young Alumni: Paying it Forward; Brandy Jackson and Jacqueline Amparo 7. Expanding the HBCU Legacy: Enrolling and Supporting the Rising Latino Population; Paola Esmieu and Andrew Martinez 8. Beyond the Fifth Quarter: The Influence of HBCU Marching Bands; Yuland Essoka 9. Study Abroad at HBCUs: Challenges, Trends, and Best Practices; Sarah Mullen 10. LGBT Centers on HBCU Campuses: Bowie State University; Joseph Barone 11. Leveraging Honors Programs at HBCUs; Channing Johnson and Tyree Williams 12. Black Greek Fraternity Experiences on Predominantly White and Historically Black Campuses: A Comparison; Dennis Daly 13. Black Lesbian Identity at Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Alexandra Iannucci 14. Not in My Backyard: Puritan Morality v. Puritan Mercantillism and its Impact on HBCUs; Tiffany N. Decker 15. Searching for Whitley Gilbert: Pluralism, Belles, Bourgeoisie Activism and Historically Black Colleges and Universities; Christian Edge 16. A Place at the Table: Etiquette and Invalidation in the Quest for Cultural Capital at Spelman College; Tiffany Decker

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"This is a very thoughtful and informative collection of essays that tackles familiar issues and uncommon topics. It explores the multi-faceted diversity of Black college campuses and adds value to the rapidly expanding scholarship on an important sector of higher education." - Alvin J. Schexnider, former chancellor of Winston-Salem State University, USA, and author of Saving Black Colleges (2013).

"Whereas the scholarship on HBCUs is limited, what is available typically paints them with a broad-brush stroke that is not always favorable. Luckily for those of us that understand the unique features of these institutions, Gasman and Commodore have done a masterful job of presenting a balanced and fair assessment of these schools. Their use of qualitative data in the context of quantitative measurements offers concrete evidence that a deeper dive is required beyond that of graduation and retention rates in order to truly appreciate the intrinsic value HBCUs offer." - Nelson Bowman III, Executive Director of Development, Prairie View A&M University, USA

"Marybeth Gasman and Felecia Commodore have done something incredibly important with Opportunities and Challenges at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. They have provided an opportunity for a different set of voices from HBCU and higher education talent to be heard. This feat is not to be underestimated or ignored. I celebrate Marybeth and Felecia for not only producing this important literary contribution about HBCUs, but for also endeavoring to provide a platform for theses voices to tell their stories." - Michael J. Sorrell, Esq., President, Paul Quinn College, USA

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