Fisk University

Est. 1866
Nashville, TN

UNCF Member Institution
Transformation Partner since 2016


Motto: “Her sons and daughters are ever on the altar”
Website: fisk.edu

We are charged with ensuring that Fisk University continues to excel and that our future is defined by a shared vision.

Dr. Agenia Walker Clark President, Fisk University

Founded in 1866, shortly after the end of the Civil War, Fisk University is a historically Black university and is the oldest institution of higher learning in Nashville, TN. Fisk’s outstanding faculty and students continue to enhance the university’s national reputation for academic excellence.

Its reputation for academic excellence is validated annually by leading third-party reviewers, a pool of talented applicants, and the large percentage of alums who complete graduate or professional degrees and become leaders and scholars in their fields.

After examining campus priorities through the institutional transformation assessment, Fisk University implemented several successful programs. For example, the institution has launched an initiative to understand the development of major maps across departments and enhanced its student success approach by revamping its CORE 100 courses.

The institution has launched a collaborative approach to faculty development and has partnered with faculty to create grants that can be used for continued research. The institution has also developed its capability to track and report on experiential learning, study abroad opportunities and career pivots.

I fulfill the promise of Black higher education by aligning undergraduate and graduate scholars with advanced courses in their diverse majors and in African American literature.

Dr. La Tanya Rogers
Associate Professor of Literature; Director of the Honors Program, Fisk University
An Online Hub for Learning and Community Building

An Online Hub for Learning and Community Building

The United Negro College Fund is launching a new online learning platform where HBCU students and scholars at different institutions across the country can learn and connect.

Anthology Works to Strengthen Network for HBCUs

Anthology Works to Strengthen Network for HBCUs

Supporting student success outcomes requires a culture of data fluency. ICB and Anthology partner on HBCU Data and Analytics Credential.

Black Educators and Leaders Gather in Atlanta for UNCF’s UNITE 2022

Black Educators and Leaders Gather in Atlanta for UNCF’s UNITE 2022

UNCF convened for UNITE 2022, the organization’s summit for students, educators and professional stakeholders at HBCUs.

Coming Together for HBCU Student Success Excellence

Coming Together for HBCU Student Success Excellence

UNCF and InsideTrack partners to help students return to school in the midst of the pandemic. A new case study reveals lessons learned.

Dr. Rochelle Ford Named Next President of Dillard University

Dr. Rochelle Ford Named Next President of Dillard University

Dr. Ford will become the next president of Dillard University, a historically Black university in New Orleans. Ford is currently the dean of Elon University's School of Communications.

Forgotten Leaders – How HBCUs and PBIs Can Amplify Black Women’s Roles in Social Justice Movements

Forgotten Leaders – How HBCUs and PBIs Can Amplify Black Women’s Roles in Social Justice Movements

UNCF’s Executive Leadership Institute gatherings, focused on how HBCUs and PBIs can support women advocates by putting more women in positions of leadership.

Good News for HBCUs

Good News for HBCUs

For decades, Black colleges have been portrayed as deficient. What changed?

Growing Capacity to Leverage Big Data is Advancing Equity in Higher Education; UNCF and Excelencia in Education Continue to Lead the Way 

Growing Capacity to Leverage Big Data is Advancing Equity in Higher Education; UNCF and Excelencia in Education Continue to Lead the Way 

Today, we announced the successful conclusion of Leveraging Big Data to Achieve Equity, an initiative designed to enhance research capabilities at HBCUs and HSIs.

HBCU aims to achieve its goal of enrolling 10,000 students well ahead of schedule

HBCU aims to achieve its goal of enrolling 10,000 students well ahead of schedule

Morgan State University has announced historic enrollment figures for a second consecutive year.

HBCU Transformation Project Launched with $60 Million

HBCU Transformation Project Launched with $60 Million

The HBCU Transformation Project aims to increase HBCU health and sustainability, improve student outcomes in retention and graduation rates, expand enrollment, and bolster capacity building with faculty and staff.

ICB and Partners Reflect on Career Pathways Initiative

ICB and Partners Reflect on Career Pathways Initiative

UNCF and partners reflected on the successes of the Career Pathways Initiative (CPI) funded by a $50 million Lilly Endowment investment that helps HBCUs and PBIs strengthen institutional career placement outcomes.

Innovative Partnerships with Community Development Financial Institutions

Innovative Partnerships with Community Development Financial Institutions

CDFIs like Reinvestment Fund are positioned to connect the dots between community partners, financial institutions and policymakers to help drive healthy and equitable communities.