A volume in Contemporary Perspectives on Access, Equity and Achievement
Series Editor: Chance W. Lewis, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Since the U.S. Civil Rights era, the racial composition of higher education has changed
dramatically, resulting in an increase in the number of African American students and
African American faculty in predominantly white institutions (PWI). Nevertheless, the number of African American
endowed or distinguished professors remains small.
Because it is difficult for African American faculty to attain these prized positions, those who have done so possess
invaluable knowledge that may be beneficial to others. Reaching the Mountaintop of the Academy: Personal
Narratives, Advice and Strategies from Black Distinguished and Endowed Professors, fills an important niche in the
canon of higher education literature. In the autobiographical chapters that follow, numerous distinguished and
endowed professors (1) describe their personal journey to the distinguished or endowed professorship; (2) explain
important life lessons that they learned during their journey; (3) describe their current professional goals; and (4)
offer suggestions and recommendations for graduate students, untenured faculty,
tenured faculty, and college/university administrators. At a time when many
predominantly white higher education institutions continue to have difficulty
attracting and retaining African American faculty, and African American faculty
continue to struggle for full inclusion in the academy, this book is timely and
needed.
