A Long, Winding Road
As we close 2005, it’s been a year unlike any other in terms of changes at Cox, Matthews and Associates, the publisher of Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. We came into the year as Black Issues In Higher Education and wrap up 2005 as Diverse. It’s been quite a whirlwind.
With the August 25th inauguration of Diverse, I’ve been pleased that we’ve been able to keep our editorial quality high and our dedication to the notion of inclusion in higher education a core value of what we do.
Whether we are Diverse or some other name, the challenges remain much the same as they have been since 1984, when Dr. William Cox and Frank Matthews founded Black Issues. I heard from several of you this fall when we announced the name change and expanded our focus.
Your feelings about the new name varied. But nine editions later, how are we doing? What issues would you like to see covered that we’re not covering now? In the New Year, I would very much like to get some feedback from you regarding our new format.
But speaking of challenges, Diverse correspondent B. Denise Hawkins reports on the emergence of early college high schools, formed by collaborations between several historically Black colleges and universities and local school districts across the country. These innovative high school initiatives have been funded by such organizations as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the Ford Foundation, just to name a few. Writes Hawkins, “The concept offers local minority and disadvantaged high school students small classes, rigorous course work, committed teachers and attentive counseling — an academic environment that had previously belonged exclusively to those who could afford it.”
Frank L. Matthews teams up with his son, Frank J. Matthews, to report on how young minority golfers find it difficult to participate in prestigious junior tournaments, making their road to careers in professional golf that much more challenging. The Matthews look at the efforts underway to bring the sport to economically disadvantaged youth.
And last but not least, Diverse looks back on 2005 in the annual “Year in Review.” I know you’ll find it interesting, as we always do, to look back on the news events of the year — who did what, who made history, the college president hirings and firings and more. All news organizations would probably agree that Hurricane Katrina was certainly the biggest news event of the year, along with the ongoing War in Iraq. We will continue to report on the aftermath of the hurricane even into the New Year, as thousands of students, faculty and staff from the Gulf Coast region live daily with the implications of this natural disaster.
As we publish this last edition of the year, on behalf of the Diverse staff, I wish you a happy, healthy and safe New Year!
Hilary Hurd Anyaso
Editor
© Copyright 2005 by DiverseEducation.com
