Editor's Note - November 7, 2024

Higher Education After the 2024 Presidential Election

Jamal Watson(1) 66744cbd774c9Jamal Watson
As this November issue reaches our readers, the American people will have made their choice for the next President of the United States. Regardless of the outcome, the critical issues impacting higher education—from student debt forgiveness to sustainable funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities —will continue to demand our attention and thoughtful coverage.

At Diverse: Issues In Higher Education, we remain committed to examining these pressing challenges while highlighting the innovations and successes across our nation’s colleges and universities. This commitment is particularly evident in this issue, which commemorates Native American History Month and presents our annual Top 100 Producers of degrees report.


This comprehensive analysis, meticulously prepared by Dr. Rhonda Vonshay Sharpe of the Women’s Institute for Science, Equity and Race, has become an essential tool for understanding which institutions are making real progress in attracting, retaining, and graduating students of color at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. The data tells a story not just of numbers, but of lives transformed and communities strengthened through higher education.


One of the leaders making this transformation possible is Damon L. Williams Jr., whose impact on graduate success rates spans multiple institutions. Now serving as associate vice president and chief of staff at the University of Kentucky, Williams continues to demonstrate how dedicated leadership can foster environments where students thrive.


As we look ahead to 2025, Diverse will maintain its focus on the policies, programs, and people advancing equity and excellence in higher education. The challenges are significant, but so too are the opportunities for meaningful change.


Yours in Progress, 

Jamal Watson, Ph.D.
Executive Editor

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