A Void Yet to Fill
When Black Issues In Higher Education was being created a little more than 20 years ago, none of us associated with it could have anticipated what this magazine would eventually become. Over the years, however, it has changed and grown into something that makes all of us very proud and thankful.
Black Issues In Higher Education was founded to fill a void in the higher education community and serve as a source of news and information about higher education for African Americans and other disadvantaged groups. In these pages we have attempted to bring unbiased but relevant news, critical analysis, insightful research and information that would be useful to those concerned with the educational plight of all faculty and students but especially faculty and students of color.
After two decades, we are still filling that void. If the 50th anniversary of the Brown v. Board of Education decision has taught us anything, it is that change is slow, and access to educational opportunity for African Americans and other minorities remains a challenge for this nation. Sustainable, measurable and meaningful progress for minority faculty and students, as measured by access, retention, degree attainment and advancement rates remains more a goal than reality. Whether the setting is old mainline institutions, historically Black colleges, community colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, tribal colleges or proprietary institutions, much remains to be done.
Black Issues In Higher Education remains a “work in progress.” While we are proud of our achievements and the accolades afforded our magazine, we remain cognizant of the unfinished work that remains if all people are to achieve their full educational potential. To those concerned with these issues we plan to remain an indispensable and reliable resource.
It would be impossible to thank everyone who has helped us deliver this magazine without interruption for 20 years. We have been fortunate in that educators, policy leaders, private sector advocates and foundation executives, though busy carrying out their regular assignments, have been gracious and open to sharing their successes, as well as their frustrations in our pages. As a result, we have been able to bring to you ideas and initiatives that have worked, as well as those that still require a good deal of attention and resources.
Our current and former writers, editors, production, technical and support staff are the very best at what they do. They come to work each day committed to communicating accurate and timely information that you can use in your important roles throughout the vast educational establishment. They have carried out our credo of uncompromised excellence in an exceeding manner.
Lastly, but ever so importantly, our loyal subscribers and advertisers have made it possible for us to sustain the business enterprise that allows Cox, Matthews & Associates to deliver Black Issues to you every two weeks. Your continued support and acceptance of our magazine is what drives any success we may have had.
Twenty years ago this magazine was launched without fanfare, but with vision, hope and a dream. While we have achieved much, the void remains. Black Issues will continue to fill it.
Frank L. Matthews William E. Cox
Publisher President
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
