Black colleges finally get a White House voice

Holifield will be executive director of an effort that's been stalled since President Donald Trump signed an executive order in February intended as a powerful statement that he viewed the health and well-being of the institutions as a priority.

Holifield told HBCU leaders and advocates gathered at a two-day White House summit on black colleges, which began Sunday, that he looks forward to helping the schools with their mission to boost this country's competitiveness. He officially begins work on Oct. 2.

"There is no path to sustained new job creation, shared prosperity, and enduring national competitiveness without the current and increased contributions of historically black colleges and universities," he told the summit held on the White House grounds at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building.

HBCU advocates' reaction to the appointment was mixed.

But Marybeth Gasman, director of the Penn Center for Minority Serving Institutions at the University of Pennsylvania, questioned Holifield's qualifications and Trump's commitment to HBCUs.

"I have some concerns that Holifield doesn't have an HBCU experience," she said. "He does have experience working across a few organizations and his self-published book is focused on inclusiveness. I wish him the best."

Rep. Alma Adams, D-N.C., co-chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus and a critic of Trump's HBCU effort, called the appointment of Holifield a "first step for the White House as they strive to repair their relationship with HBCU leaders and members of Congress."

She extended an invitation to Holifield to come to Capitol Hill "to learn more about the (HBCU caucus) and our legislative priorities," said Adams, who's also a member of the Congressional Black Caucus.