SNHU Agents of Change Podcast · SNHU Social Sciences

Season 3 Episode 14 Black Learner Initiative feat. Dr. Marc Johnson

·22 min·1 clip

SNHU enrolls about 33,000 Black learners, more than many historically Black colleges.

1. SNHU Agents of Change Episode 14 centers on the Black Learner Initiative and Dr. Mark Johnson’s view of Black online learner success. 2. Host Dr. Hector Garcia speaks with Dr. Mark Johnson, SNHU Associate Vice President for Learner Equity and a Morehouse College graduate, and with student interviewers Anna Duarte and Megan Smith. 3. The episode asks what SNHU can learn about Black online learners so the university can better organize around retention and degree completion. 4. Johnson says SNHU enrolls about 33,000 Black learners, a number he notes is larger than the enrollment of many historically Black colleges. 5. He argues that that scale creates both “a tremendous opportunity” and “a tremendous responsibility” for SNHU. 6. He says the team is asking what Black learners, advisors, admissions staff, and student financial services colleagues say about the SNHU experience. 7. He also says SNHU data on classes and engagement can reveal patterns in learner experience. 8. Johnson explains that the work is still focused on understanding rather than immediate action. 9. He says the team wants “space and grace” to do the work right before moving to solutions. 10. He adds that there are not yet “really good answers” about interventions or findings. 11. Johnson says the project already has “energy and excitement and agreement” behind it. 12. He links Black learner outcomes to broader disparities in health, income, and educational attainment. 13. He says challenges such as financial aid issues and stopping out for a learner’s own health or a family member’s health can affect degree progress. 14. Johnson says SNHU must recognize that Black learners arrive with “deep interest and readiness and enthusiasm.” 15. He says his motivation comes from Morehouse College, his family’s emphasis on college attainment, and a desire to be of service. 16. He says the work now gives him a chance to serve “many thousands of Black learners” at SNHU. 17. Johnson says the team is thinking about community, sense of belonging, and the relationship between learners and faculty. 18. He describes the format as a friendly interview with two student interviewers, and the tone stays reflective and practical. 19. Students, staff, and higher-ed listeners interested in equity and learner success. 20. Listeners wanting fast opinions without a lot of context.

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