2016 Annual Conference

This session will illuminate the history of graduate programs in adult education at three HBCUs: Cheyney University, Coppin State University, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

Adult educators and learners who are interested in historical representation of HBCUS and adult education graduate programs.

There is paucity in the body of research anchored in the field of adult education with regard to the history of graduate programs in adult education within historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). In the late 1970s the number of Black graduate students increased (NCES, 2010) and within a ten year span adult education graduate programs were approved at three public HBCUs: North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, Coppin State University, and Cheyney University. While these institutions were geographically positioned in various parts of the eastern region of the US, their educational efforts were similar in that they shared the common goal of preparing graduate adult learners, in particular Black graduate adult learners to become effective adult educators and change agents. In addition, these institutions share curricular experience wherein the historical, philosophical, and socio-cultural significance of Blacks in adult education is emphasized.