Strategic Leadership in Resource-Constrained HBCUs: Uncovering the Levers Shaping STEM Success and National Talent Pipelines
Strategic Leadership in Resource-Constrained HBCUs: Uncovering the Levers Shaping STEM Success and National Talent Pipelines
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Issue Date
2025-10
Authors
Young, Tracy B.
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Abstract
This qualitative, multiple case study investigated the institutional and leadership characteristics that contribute to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) success at small Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The research addressed the systemic challenges these institutions face in optimizing their strategies to support a significant, yet often untapped, talent pool in STEM. This problem affects underrepresented minorities, HBCUs striving to maintain their contributions, and the broader workforce, which benefits from greater diversity. Guided by Transformational Leadership Theory, the study employed a qualitative multiple case study approach, conducting in-depth document analysis of publicly available data from 15 systematically selected small HBCUs. Data from institutional websites, mission statements, and other public documents were analyzed through thematic coding using NVivo software to identify patterns and themes related to leadership and institutional practices. The findings revealed a strong institutional emphasis on three key areas: faculty professional development, specialized STEM majors, and external partnerships. While visionary leadership was a prominent theme, the analysis also uncovered a notable under-articulation of specific operational supports, such as detailed scholarship criteria and bridge program structures. A crucial discovery was the non-linear relationship between stated visionary leadership and tangible operational strengths like grant funding, suggesting diverse pathways to success. This research identified distinct institutional archetypes that reflect varied strategic blueprints for fostering a robust STEM talent pipeline. The study concludes that fostering STEM success requires a strategic blend of clear institutional vision and robust operational execution. The findings offer practical implications for HBCU leaders, underscoring the need to align their public institutional narrative with their documented operational strengths. Recommendations for future research include incorporating in-depth interviews with key stakeholders to explore less-documented operational processes and employing mixed-methods designs to establish causal inferences between specific strategies and positive STEM outcomes. By shedding light on the dynamics of effective STEM initiatives at small HBCUs, this research offers valuable guidance for strengthening these indispensable institutions and ensuring a more diverse and equitable future for the national STEM talent pipeline.
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Keywords
Strategic Leadership , Resource-Constrained HBCUs , Uncovering the Levers Shaping STEM Success and National Talent Pipelines , Student Success Science , Business, Engineering, Science, & Technological Innovation , Educational Leadership & Learning Lifelong , Workforce Development Needs & Industry Alignment