Aren’t They All the Same? Positioning Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the Organizational Field of Higher Education

• In Event: Community, Organization and Praxis: Race and Higher Education

Abstract

This study uses institutional reference-groups to examine (1) how postsecondary institutions classify Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and (2) whether institutions accept HBCUs’ organizational identity claims. Findings indicate that others largely do not incorporate HBCUs in the field and do not affirm HBCUs’ identity claims. We then discuss implications.

Authors

• Graham Miller, University of Iowa

• Freda Lynn, University of Iowa

• Laila McCloud, University of Iowa