EDITORS
Editor:
Dr. Shadow Armfield
Associate Editor:
Dr. Mary Dereshiwsky
Assistant Editor:
Dr. Dawn Armfield
Assistant Editor:
Dr. Dan Eadens
Founding/Executive Editor
Dr. Rosemary Papa
Spring 2017
Articles
By: Aaron A. Allison and Tori L. Colson
Abstract Accordion Closed
This study examined the trends in enrollment numbers and academic quality of first-year Tennessee students on the merit-based portion of the Tennessee Education Lottery Scholarship (TELS) upon HBCU’s and religiously focused institutions in Tennessee from 2005-2014. The researchers hypothesized that the merit-based portion of the TELS was a contributing factor to retaining talented, first-year, undergraduate, Tennessee students at private, accredited, higher education institutions in Tennessee. The average enrollment, average ACT score, and average high school GPA of first-year, undergraduate, Tennessee students at HBCU and religiously focused schools were examined for trends. The data revealed no significant difference in the trend for enrollment of first-year Tennessee students at HBCU private institutes and religiously focused institutes. There was a significant trend of improvement in ACT averages and HSGPA averages at such schools. This is meaningful for institutions in recruitment and retention of high-quality students. Implications and future areas of research are discussed.
Man-made disaster undermines impoverished school district: The Flint water crisis
By: Marlena Bravender and Caryl Walling
Abstract Accordion Closed
In seeking an avenue to save money, an urban city made a choice to alter the drinking water for its residents and created a crisis, which all community stakeholders were unprepared to address. The Flint water crisis has been given national attention by celebrities and politicians, but the long-term issues related to families, children, and educational resources are far from being resolved. Resources have been provided to the community health and education providers, but more assistance is needed and will continue to be required for decades to come. Environmental hazards such as lead poisoning play a critical role in child development. It serves as a wake-up call to national and international communities to examine the water sources available to children.
Towards Quality Governance and management of West African Universities: The Way Forward
By: Patricia Agnes Ovigueraye Etejere, Aminat Ozohu Aburime, Olumayowa Kabir Aliyu, and Oyeyemi Jumoke Jekayinfa
Abstract Accordion Closed
Internal governance in West African universities is faced with considerable government participation in the performance of their traditional functions. External governing relationship is a function of government policies of the institutions and their commitments to stakeholders. The pressure to ‘deliver the goods’ in good quality as well as the desire to meet international standards in the twin era of globalisation and information and communication technology have put a lot of strain on governance and management of West African universities. This paper therefore sets out to re-visit governance and management roles in the university system as they relate to West African universities. The paper discusses the concepts of management and governance and it highlights some empirical information relating to governance and management in selected universities in developed countries. The status of ranking of some West African universities is depicted in the write-up. Suggestions on the way forward include emphasis on current practices in management orientation, autonomy, accountability and participation in university decision-making. The paper concludes that West African universities should articulate clearly their mission. Recommendations are then put forward for better governance and management of the university system.