Essay: Kimbrough as an Educator

Introduction
For years, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have provided leadership and administrative opportunities for the black higher education professional throughout the country. HBCUs are often accredited with producing a significant number of professionals in education, corporate environments, and the sciences. HBCUs and their leaders are pivotal to the education and development of the next generation of black leaders and professionals. Often facing limited resources, heavy dependence on federal funding, and accreditation scrutiny, HBCU presidents face uphill battles in sustaining relevance for institutions often deemed as antiquated and lackluster amongst their Predominantly White institutional (PWI)counterparts. With such a heavy responsibility, it is no surprise that the value of stellar HBCU presidential leadership is so greatly valued.
Within the last twenty, several HBCU leaders have risen to renown leadership statuses. Of those, Dr. Walter Kimbrough, the current president of Dillard University (New Orleans, LA) is at the forefront. His public advocacy for HBCUs, publications, and commitment to educational excellence has made him one of the most well-respected leaders in higher education, especially for minority serving institutions. His tenure at Dillard began in 2012, where he quickly moved into a mission to restore a strong legacy of academic success and create sustainable opportunities for innovation.
Kimbrough as an Educator
Walter Kimbrough is African American academic professional and the current president of Dillard University in New Orleans, Louisiana, a position he has been in since 2012. A native of the home of “Black Hollywood”; Atlanta, GA. Dr. Kimbrough began his educational journey in high school while serving as the student body president and class salutatorian in 1985. Upon graduating high school, he went on to the University of Georgia, Miami University in Ohio and earning his doctorate in higher education from Georgia State University. His educational accomplishments have allowed him to have a respected and lengthy career in student affairs. From serving at institutions like Georgia State and Old Dominion to serving as the Vice President for Student Affairs at Albany State University; all of this before the age of 33.
After serving four successful years at Albany State, in 2004 Dr. Kimbrough moved to the office of President at Philander Smith College; a small private HBCU in Arkansas with an annual endowment of $3million dollars. This experience in leadership granted Dr. Kimbrough to be in his current role at Dillard University as the 7th President.
While Dr. Kimbrough’s accomplishments in higher education are endless, his contributions to research and existing literature in HBCU leadership and culture are commendable. Exploring HBCU leadership, Black Greek Lettered Organizations, and HBCU sustainability in his publications, Dr. Kimbrough has applied his experiences in leadership to the needs of those looking to advance the mission of HBCUs.
Often referred to as the “HipHopPrez” one of Dr. Kimbrough’s highly respected research articles is “The impact of Membership in Black Greek Organizations on Black Students involvement in Collegiate Activities and Their Development of Leadership Skills”. In this publication, he breaks down the negative stereotypes that black Greek letter organizations often fall victim to. In the midst of hazing accusations and negative press that many BGLO have received over the last twenty years, Dr. Kimbrough’s research brought a positive and research-driven light to organizations that still sustain and equip the future of Black leadership in America. (Kimbrough, 1998).
Dr. Kimbrough’s dedication to understanding and exploring black leadership in higher education does not limit him to formal education but expands to advocacy in the form of politics and political engagement. Specifically, his 2016 interview in the Chronicle of Higher of Education, where he comments on how Black lives matter affects HBCU’s. in this interview Dr. Kimbrough explains and advocates for the continuing need for HBCU’s in today’s America and how it is giving students an option and outlet to be themselves devoid of the clear radicalism seen at PWI’s. (Kimbrough, How Black Lives Matter Affects Historically Black Colleges , 2016)
Conclusion
Dr. Walter Kimbrough is the quintessential higher education leader, HBCU advocate, and an example of adult education in action. His efforts to transcend the contextual bounds of HBCU education in this current age, along with publicly speaking on controversial issues impacting Black America prove that education and facilitation can occur inside and outside the parameters of an institution’s campus. With their being an evolution in the need and mission of HBCUs, Dr. Kimbrough’s efforts are to be commended and studied as best practice. Additionally, adult education in traditional higher education institutions is still alive and well, and many often forget that universities, especially HBCUs were fundamental providers of adult education for underserved communities and marginalized populations.