It isn’t because they don’t have the right stuff, according to Ms. Heriot. Many do, she contends, but the problem is that they tend to take on too much too soon given their level of academic preparation. Professor Heriot goes on to say it is no fluke that historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, have excellent records of graduating future scientists and engineers.
Anthony Williams, Postdoctoral Scholar at The University of Chicago – Pritzker School of Medicine
In 2006, HBCUs accounted for 21% of the bachelor’s degrees awarded to black students. Yet 33% of the black students awarded Ph.D.s in science or engineering had received their bachelor’s degree at an HBCU. That is worth reading again.
While the Endeleo Institute is laser focused on exposing and preparing our young people (via college tours and fairs) to the very rich options that HBCUs afford, there is clear recognition that schools in our own backyard sorely lack the diversity of students matriculating and graduating in the fields of medicine, health sciences and engineering.
As such, Endeleo is meeting with Rush Medical College to discuss a possible collaborative that could create a pipeline of African-American students from our Chicago Public High School partnerships to reflect more African-American representation. There is a great need for more culturally competent health professionals in our community to better connect us to the science and research that could help reduce the disproportionate health disparities in our neighborhoods.
If you know a student that might be remotely interested in any of these lucrative fields, please contact us at 773-966-1590.
