Morgan State University, the largest of Maryland’s four historically Black colleges and universities, is thriving. Enrollment is strong. There is record external and state funding. There is institutional focus on achieving Research-1 status. Innovative programming continues to grow, and the student body is more diverse than ever.
The long-running lawsuit between Maryland’s HBCUs and the state was finally settled, and Morgan State received its first appropriation from those funds on July 1, 2022, amounting to $15.1 million. Morgan State President Dr. David K. Wilson says that money is funding existing and new programs.
“We’re looking around the country, having discussions with potential employers to get a sense of the work of the future and the future of work, to start new academic degree programs that when our graduates finish, they will be in high demand and earn competitive salaries,” says Wilson. “We’re trying to break down barriers.” 
Student groups at Morgan State include organizations for African students, Caribbean students, Latinx students, and international students.
Retention efforts
Morgan State is currently number one in the United States in producing Black electrical engineers and civil engineers, Wilson notes. The university has an excellent reputation in the sciences and continues to innovate. This requires thoughtful retention efforts.
Dr. Tiffany Beth Mfume, associate vice president for student success and retention, says her office is involved from the time a student is admitted to the university until he or she graduates. Upon admission, someone from the office oversees the transition process—orientation, advisement, financial clearance and registration prior to the student’s first term and support through the first year.
