It’s taken months of collaboration throughout establishments, however east Tennessee’s solely Traditionally Black School and College (HBCU) is on monitor to regain accreditation. The school is anticipating submitting its software for approval in April.
Knoxville School (KC), a non-public establishment, misplaced its accreditation in 1997. Since then, it has regained licensed standing in Tennessee, which permits them to confer credentials. If the varsity is ready to regain accreditation, as these concerned imagine will occur quickly, college students will be capable to entry federal monetary help funding and state funding alternatives, together with the Tennessee Pupil Help Award, which provides repayment-free monetary help to college students from low-income backgrounds.
“KC misplaced accreditation for numerous causes, a kind of being monetary stability. Monetary help for college kids is among the largest conduits of state {dollars} to the establishment,” mentioned Dr. Brittany Mosby, director of HBCU Success, a department of the Tennessee Greater Schooling Fee centered on the well being and sustainability of the state’s seven personal and public HBCUs. “Within the 2021 faculty 12 months, about $10 million went to HBCUs within the state by means of monetary help, and the 12 months earlier than that it was $12 million. That’s one of many explanation why accreditation is so vital.”
Dr. Dasha Lundy, government vice chairman and chief operations officer of Knoxville School and District 1 Commissioner for the Knox County Fee.
Lundy mentioned Dr. Kevin James, president of MBC, was an inspiration.
“He did it, so we are able to do it too,” mentioned Lundy. She reached out and requested James if he would assist KC in its mission to regain accreditation. “[James] believes in HBCUs, so he mentioned sure. He’d been by means of it and he knew the pitfalls. He knew information the staff. If we did this by ourselves, it will have took longer.”
Lundy mentioned it was James who reached out throughout city to join with the College of Tennessee (UT) Knoxville. Dr. J. Patrick Biddix, professor and program coordinator of the Greater Schooling Administration Ph.D. program at UT Knoxville, mentioned he was excited for the possibility to collaborate with KC, not solely so his college students may get palms on expertise within the means of accreditation, however to assist an establishment as vital as KC.
“KC has been part of the Knoxville group for 150 years,” mentioned Biddix, recalling the awe-inspiring second he and his staff of ten graduate college students skilled strolling by means of McKee Corridor on KC’s campus, the place Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave the graduation handle in 1960.
“You’ll be able to train college students what it’s prefer to work at state or personal establishments, however an HBCU is particular. It’s totally different, it’s wanted, it’s needed,” mentioned Biddix. “HBCUs include an amazing quantity of historical past. Lots of the training befell for the scholars past accreditation, in understanding the significance and necessity of HBCUs on this nation.”
KC was based in 1875 by the United Presbyterian Church for the training of newly freed women and men. By the center of the twentieth century, KC had turn into a liberal arts establishment with a status for organizing social justice actions like sit-ins. Lundy, who can be the District 1 Commissioner for the Knox County Fee, desires to see the establishment turn into a north-star for his or her group as soon as once more.
Early picture of McKee Corridor at Knoxville School.
“The method of making and understanding the supplies, the items for the accreditation course of, and the chance to work with a board of trustees towards approval and revision—that’s an extremely helpful expertise for the scholars,” mentioned Biddix.
Biddix, Lundy, James and the A-Staff at the moment are within the ultimate means of reviewing the lots of of paperwork that make up their accreditation software, “crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s,” Lundy mentioned.
“It’s been an extended journey. I’m grateful for the staff that’s caught with us. It hasn’t been simple,” mentioned Lundy, including that the partnership KC, UT Knoxville, and MBC have constructed is testomony to the facility of what establishments can accomplish after they come collectively to “educate, empower, and elevate communities.”
“After we take into consideration retention charges, particularly with Black males—HBCUs are nonetheless important. We could not have a billion greenback endowment, however we are able to depend upon our sister establishments to assist us,” mentioned Lundy. “That’s what it’s all about. We’re right here to serve folks. It is a collaboration to present establishments can come collectively, not fear about who’s taking whose college students—it’s about lifting folks and giving training to extra folks.”
Liann Herder might be reached at lherder@diverseeducation.com.
