Alabama State University (ASU) and Morris Brown College (MBC) presidents signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday, June 16, to create a transfer pathway for students who earn a bachelor’s degree at MBC to go on to pursue a graduate degree at ASU.
Morris Brown President Kevin James (l) and Alabama State President Quinton Ross (r) signed an MOU Tuesday to create master's degree pathways for Morris Brown students.
The school-to-school pipeline focuses on disciplines within ASU’s College of Education – including business, cybersecurity, data analytics, healthcare administration, management, information technology and biotechnology – many of which offer online and in-person courses. Alternative educational opportunities will also be available for students who haven’t completed an undergraduate teacher program.
“Once we looked online at the program offerings, many of those offerings are direct pathways for our graduates in business, psychology and music alike,” Morris Brown President Kevin James said in a statement.
In April 2024, only six percent of the nation’s teachers were recorded as Black/African American while 15 percent of students are Black.
“This historic collaboration is a testament to the commitment of both institutions in fostering educational opportunities and supporting student success,” ASU President Quinton Ross said.
The partnership represents the latest in a series of actions by Morris Brown President Kevin James to revive opportunities for students on the campus. In 2002, Morris Brown lost its accreditation. It was restored in 2022 under James’ leadership, and the school recently announced it has received full accreditation reaffirmation for an additional five-year term through 2031 from the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. This spring, they graduated 93 students, their largest class in over 20 years.
“This agreement ensures that the rich heritage of our educational institutions is not only protected but elevated for modern scholars,” Ross said. “This signing today, reaffirms when historically Black colleges and universities work together, our students, community and our nation are stronger because of it. When we unite, we multiply opportunities, expand possibilities and build legacies that will impact generations to come.”
