The Academic Journey from “Student” to “Professor” at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)

Revised Edition - Primarily for HBCU Students, Alumni, and Student Success Professionals

An Experience of a Lifetime: The Academic Journey from “Student” to “Professor” at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) – Revised Edition offers an in-depth story about my academic matriculation at HBCUs from an undergraduate student to a Ph.D. recipient in developmental psychology.  In this account, I describe my journey from Winston-Salem State University (B.A.) to North Carolina Central University (M.A.), to Howard University (Ph.D.). I conclude the story by discussing my journey from Howard University to the professoriate at Hampton University.  

The Revised Edition includes several additions compared to the first.  In the Revised Edition, a foreword from the distinguished scholar and HBCU advocate, Dr. Marybeth Gasman is provided.  The Revised Edition also includes short narrative reviews of the book from Drs. Kevin Cokley, Janelle West, and Leah Hollis.  Finally, the Revised Edition includes three new appendices that are highlighted below. 

• Appendix A adds three historical recommendations from significant mentors that propelled me to my first professorial appointment. 

• Appendix B is my illustration of a theoretical model presented throughout the book’s content (and examples) on how integrity-based HBCU culture can proactively influence student success and character development.   

• Appendix C embodies a "Where Are They Now" section.  This section provides seventy-two profiles about my significant mentors and student colleagues during my three HBCU academic experiences and first academic experience into the HBCU professoriate.

This book was written to inspire, attract, and motivate students to want to attend an HBCU. Given the many challenges that African American students are currently facing in higher education, my aim was to illuminate the special and unique educational experiences that HBCUs provide students.  It is my hope that this book continues to heighten the trajectories for HBCUs – and encourage more students to consider and attend them on the road to becoming their best selves.  It is also my hope that this book will further inform research, theory, and practices toward student success at HBCUs, but also enhance the potentially facilitating nexus of integrity-based HBCU cultural factors and educational/academic experiences in all institutions of higher education.

First Edition - Primarily for High School and Early College Students  

An Experience of a Lifetime: The Academic Journey from “Student” to “Professor” at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) offers an in-depth account of my academic matriculation at HBCUs from an undergraduate student to a Ph.D. recipient. Highlighted in the book are many culturally ambient features experienced as an HBCU student.  These include both personal and academic experiences encountered at three HBCUs.  Most important were the great mentors and advisors that HBCUs provided for me, coupled with the cultural developmental experiences of communalism, academic learning, and spirituality. Because of this distinctive collegiate environment, the book also provides several considerations for research and theory development at HBCUs and overall higher education.

Dr. Rodney Cunningham has written an incredible book describing his journey as a student scholar and later transitioning to a legendary and high-profile professor.

Dr. Cunningham describes the HBCU experience and the rich influence it has had on both his student and teaching experience. Dr. Cunningham has produced an extraordinary book that is beautifully written, moving and delightful. It’s a true page turner and worthy of praise!

Kali Guest, Executive Assistant in the Office of Academic Affairs
UNC School of Nursing

If you would like to purchase ten or more books, please contact me for a reduced price bulk order.
ashburtonpressllc@gmail.com 919-453-4626

What Academic Professionals Say about An Experience of a Lifetime, Revised Edition

The book does an incredible job of highlighting Black academic excellence in a diversity of HBCU settings. It demonstrates that Black students can excel in supportive and caring educational environments where they are taught by passionate professors who believe in their potential. The book illustrates the significance of being taught by Black professors, who by their education and achievements are powerful examples of what Black students can become. For HBCU alumni, the book provides a walk down memory lane for why their HBCU experience is so special and different from the educational experiences of Black students attending PWCUs.

Dr. Kevin Cokley, University Diversity and Social Transformation Professor, Associate Chair for Diversity Initiatives, Professor of Psychology - University of Michigan Ann Arbor

Cunningham shines a light on the importance of family at HBCUs. He shines a light on perseverance, mentoring – describing those who mentored him, and how to navigate rejection to meet one’s goals.  His story exemplifies what HBCUs add to the lives of students.  More than that, however, he demonstrates the beauty of an HBCU graduate who comes full circle and decides to pursue a faculty career at an HBCU, giving back all that he learned to his own students.

His story is one that should be read by parents, current and future students, and HBCU alumni alike as it inspires and confirms the power of HBCUs.

Dr. Marybeth Gasman, Samuel Dewitt Proctor Endowed Chair & Distinguished Professor, Rutgers University - New Brunswick