teaching about culture, society, moral behavior, and character. This false impression, that just attending college provides success, has created a distorted belief of entitlement for too many students attending college. Whether the student attends college or trains in the skilled trades, the basic requirements for learning and training are still required. Additional skills such as incisive thinking, comparative thought, and moral/ ethical behavior are required as well. Cultural and social awareness provide an understanding of the many opportunities offered by the skilled trades. Having the opportunity to access jobs through the skilled trades is just as important as accessing jobs by attending a college or university. Taking either path can provide opportunities that lead to a productive, satisfying, and happy life. Based on data provided by the U.S. Department of Education, another reason AfricanAmerican high school students are not adequately prepared is because a majority of urban teachers are white (U.S. Department of Education (2019), The Condition of Education 2018, Lanham, M.A. Berman Press). https://nces.ed.gov/pubs2018/2018144.pdf That is not to say white teachers are purposely miseducating African-American high school students, but cultural differences affect communications and expectations between the teacher and student, especially in the formative grade levels. Student and teacher must learn to deliver and accept a message for effective communications and knowledge transfer. While serving in both the public school and charter school systems, I noted that a vast number of teachers lived outside the school district. If teachers and other successful members of society leave the area where African-American high school students reside and teachers do not expose students to a successful social environment, the student has no visual motivation to receive an education. The African-American high school students must see the rewards of education. If students see successful teachers, doctors, plumbers, and home builders in the community, then they are more likely to see the value in learning the knowledge that will fashion them as teachers, doctors, plumbers, home builders, and other professionals. Lawson: You are an educator at what is referred to as a Historically Black College or University. Since you have been teaching at Central State University, has the enrollment grown over the years, and what factors do you contribute to your answer? Harden: I am a Central State University (CSU) graduate, class of 1973. I began teaching at CSU in 2007. Between 1973 and today, it appears to me that student enrollment has declined. When I entered CSU in 1969, there were white students residing in the dormitories. CSU’s population was truly diverse, a surprising number of CSU graduates are nonAfrican-American and international. Over the years, the following factors have affected CSU student enrollment: Expansion of other prominent universities in close proximity (60 miles) to CSU: Wright State University, University of Dayton, Sinclair Community College, University of Cincinnati, Cedarville College, and Wilberforce University. (Just to name a few of the institutions in close proximity) Declining urban populations result in declining urban school populations. A rise in non-white ethnic populations has resulted in a move toward protectionism and nationalism as witnessed in today’s society. High single mother birth rate among AfricanAmerican teens. Competition with traditionally white 2-year and 4-year colleges and universities for students. Competition for State of Ohio resources among state universities and colleges Lawson: Specifically considering higher education, what are you able to share with African-American parents as they plan for the higher education of their children? Harden: The African-American family has a significant role to play in higher education. African-American families must instill a love of knowledge, a pursuit of education and wisdom in their children. AfricanAmerican families should expect and demand that
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