Final Article

African American Undergraduate Rates Are On a Rise at EMU



Throughout the nation, black enrollments in higher education have reached an all-time high. But more importantly, statistical measure of the performance is that of how many black students are completing school and earning a college degree.
At Eastern Michigan University, they’re doing this! There are many black students who graduate with undergraduate and graduate degrees. For the past six consecutive years, Diverse Issues in Higher Education magazine has recognized Eastern Michigan University as one of the top 100 institutions in the nation for the number of African American students who receive an undergraduate degree.

“EMU ranked 82nd, one position ahead of the University of Michigan; Wayne State and Michigan State were the only other Michigan schools in the rankings.” according to the Eastern Press Release.
Out of 17,283 undergraduate students at EMU, approximately 33.4 percent are African Americans. Records show that the retention percentage rate increased from 18.73 from the previous year to 19.59, in the year 2008.

“My major is literature; I came to EMU because of the smaller feel to the campus. I wasn't just a number to professors, but a person. That’s what made me stay until graduation. The diversity that EMU hosts is incredible. I got to learn about myself and the world around me. I love the sense of family I get from EMU. The professors really did care about my success!” says Jalani Jackson, Alumni and graduate student at EMU.

Anne McKee, Assistant Director of Admissions says “I think that Eastern because we are located in a metropolitan area, and we have good recruiters and the diversity of the campus, I think that students of color see other students who look like themselves, I think help us recruit. Eastern has been recognized as a diverse campus.”


Communications, journalism and other related fields are some of the few degrees that top the ranks of African American students at Eastern Michigan University. Others include Business Administration, Public Administration, Visual and Performing Arts, Ethnic, Social Services, Cultural and Gender Studies.

“My major kind of chose me, I wanted to be a sports medicine major but I didn’t have a car freshmen year and couldn’t get off campus, so I went undecided. Then I was just thinking about what I liked and it came to me.” says Nathan Galloway, a senior majoring in Electronic Media & Film Studies.

A total of 177 undergraduate and 47 graduate degrees were given to African American Students in 2008. That was an increase from 2007, were 147 undergraduate and 38 graduate degrees were given.

“I feel as though Eastern has prepared me for the real world because of the tough teaching and the hard curriculum.” says Emmanuel Upshaw, graduating senior.

The economic gains that come from a college degree are transparently obvious. The Department of Education data shows that, as expected, black students who earn a four-year college degree have incomes that are substantially higher than blacks who have only some college experience but have not earned a degree.

“I'm pleased to know that more Africans (whether American or not) are aiming at obtaining a higher education. In this poor economic state were in, it is needed.” says Chukwuma Undegbunam, a junior.
“As a black graduate we still have to work much harder than the regular graduate. Your job is never done as just a graduate.” says Travis Mines, EMU Black Alumni.

The American Council on Education released its 20th annual Minorities in Higher Education Annual Status Report, which revealed that minority college enrollment has surged 122% over the last two decades, "The good news is that, overall, more students of color are enrolling in institutions of higher education, showing the impact of focus and hard work over the past 20 years," says Marc Sapterstein, former president of the GE Foundation, which financed a report on African American Enrollment Rates. However, African Americans must continue on to do better.

Watch/Listen to the video of EMU's Fight Song, played at Graduation