And Still, I Rise: A Theory of Institutional Resilience at Historically Black Colleges and Universities: A Theory of Institutional Resilience at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Prior research finds that small, private, less-selective historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have a higher institutional survival rate when compared with predominantly White institutions (PWIs) of similar size and selectivity. Given this reality, we extend a theory of static and dynamic institutional resilience of firms to HBCUs. These institutions are prepared for negative events and survive in spite of such circumstances, which is the static or stationary facet of resilience. HBCUs also possess a dynamic facet to their institutional resilience, allowing for more rapid recovery of institutions in the face of negative shocks. We posit that HBCUs have developed this resiliency because of their adherence to a core mission to educate marginalized persons. These institutions thrive in spite of, and by adapting to, historical and current discrimination in funding, changing structures of accountability, and fluctuations in enrollment.