A study of the personal and professional characteristics of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) presidents

This study examined the personal information, professional data, personal attitudes, and leadership behaviors of HBCU presidents. An analysis of the literature concerning college presidents is reflective of and dominated by Caucasian males leading Traditional White Institutions (TWIs) and indicates a void in reflecting the personal and professional characteristics of HBCU presidents. As such, this study utilized the Fisher/Tack Effective Leadership Inventory as the instrument to collect data from HBCU presidents. Data were collected from the HBCU presidents such as age, gender, religious preference, political affiliation, familial information, parental education, salary, type of degrees earned, age at first HBCU presidency, positions held prior to the HBCU presidency, and leadership behaviors of HBCU presidents while leading their institutions. Based on the research findings of this study, the majority of HBCU presidents are in their sixties, Baptist by religious affiliation, Democrat, married at least twice, and have fathers who received less than a high school education. Findings indicate that no overall statistically significant relationship was found between the type of institution and the personal or professional information of HBCU presidents. The implications of these research findings indicate the need to continually clarify and compare the personal and professional characteristics of future HBCU leaders as they aspire to the HBCU presidency in a constantly changing American society.