Challenge of Small Business Essay Example

Challenge of Small Business Essay Example Challenge of Small Business Essay Challenge of Small Business Essay Small businesses are often faced with many challenges. One of the biggest problems faced by small businesses is providing suitable benefits for employees, namely health insurance. Employer provided health insurance is The research process to developing a paper requires time, time and more time. It is best to begin to think about the chosen topic for a couple of hours or even days before beginning. A brief search of the chosen topic to ensure enough information is available to support research. If there is little information, a change in topics may be a wise choice. The first step in the research process is to identify a topic. Ensuring there is enough information available to support the paper or take the time to conduct primary research if the topic allows. For instance, on the topic of most common workplace fears, interviewing several employees at work and a few friends may be enough to begin a research paper on that topic. After a topic is chosen, the fun begins. Develop a thesis statement and identify a few key words to begin. Create an outline to assist with organizing ideas and research. Insert key words in an internet engine to begin the search. The internet is the fastest and most convenient starting point. It contains all sorts of information and information is abundant about any topic. The more information found in the beginning; the better the chances of completing the research paper without having to go back and conduct more research. Magazines, periodicals, online journals and so forth are accessible from the internet. Remember to cite works along the way as this makes it easier to complete the reference page in the end. Abundant information does not always mean accurate information, especially from the internet. Sometimes it can be difficult to validate information found on the internet because information is not regulated. Information must be evaluated for accuracy, objectivity and currency. Using recent information from trust worthy authors is one way to ensure accuracy. It is imperative to search on well known websites, school libraries such as Pro quest, national magazines and so forth. The information contained on these sites may be more accurate than others and the chance of receiving malicious malware is lessened. Once the internet search is complete, take a trip to the library to conduct research the old way. The librarian will be excited to assist with searches. Conduct primary research and speak with a few colleagues or business associates that are professionals on the chosen topic. Ensuring all work is cited properly following American Psychological Association (APA) guidelines and giving others credit for their work is the last step in the process. It is best to do the bulk of citing during the research process. Trying to cite works after the fact is a little difficult and often times some items will be unintentionally overlooked.

The Challenges and Opportunities Facing HBCUs

The Challenges and Opportunities Facing HBCUs Historically black colleges and universities, or HBCUs, encompass a wide range of institutions of higher learning. There are currently 101 HBCUs in the United States, and they range from two-year community colleges to research universities that grant doctoral degrees. Most of the schools were founded shortly after the Civil War in an effort to provide African Americans access to higher education. What Is a Historically Black College or University? HBCUs exist because of the United States history of exclusion, segregation, and racism. With the end of slavery following the Civil War, African American citizens faced numerous challenges gaining access to higher education. Financial barriers and admissions policies made attendance at many colleges and universities nearly impossible for the majority of African Americans. As a result, both federal legislation and the efforts of church organizations worked to create institutions of higher learning that would provide access to African American students. The great majority of HBCUs were founded between the end of the Civil War in 1865 and the end of the 19th century. That said, Lincoln University (1854) and Cheyney University (1837), both in Pennsylvania, were established well before the end of slavery. Other HBCUs such as Norfolk State University (1935) and Xavier University of Louisiana (1915) were founded in the 20th century. The colleges and universities are called historically black because ever since the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s, HBCUs have been open to all applicants and have worked to diversify their student bodies. While many HBCUs still have predominantly black student populations, others do not. For example, Bluefield State College is 86% white and just 8% black. Kentucky State Universitys student population is roughly half African American.  However, it is more common for an HBCU to have a student body that is well over 90% black. Examples of Historically Black Colleges and Universities HBCUs are as diverse as the students who attend them. Some are public while others are private. Some are small liberal arts colleges while others are large research universities. Some are secular, and some are affiliated with a church. Youll find HBCUs that have a majority white student population while most have large African American enrollments. Some HBCUs offer doctoral programs, while some are two-year schools offering associate degrees. Below are a few examples that capture the range of HBCUs: Simmons College of Kentucky is a tiny college of just 203 students with ties to the American Baptist Church. The student population is 100% African American.North Carolina AT is a relatively large public university with over 11,000 students. Along with robust bachelor degree programs ranging from the arts to engineering, the school also has numerous masters and doctoral programs.Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, Alabama, is a two-year community college offering certificate programs and associate degrees in areas such as engineering technology, health professions, and business.Xavier University of Louisiana  is a private Roman Catholic university with 3,000 students enrolled in bachelor, masters and doctoral programs.Tougaloo College in Mississippi is a private liberal arts college of 860 students. The college is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, although it describes itself as church-related but not church controlled. Challenges Facing Historically Black Colleges and Universities As a result of  affirmative action, civil rights legislation, and changing attitudes towards race, colleges, and universities across the United States are actively working to enroll qualified African American students. This access to educational opportunities across the country is obviously a good thing, but it has had consequences for HBCUs. Even though there are over 100 HBCUs in the country, less than 10% of all African American college students actually attend an HBCU. Some HBCUs are struggling to enroll enough students, and roughly 20 colleges have closed in the last 80 years. More are likely to close in the future because of enrollment declines and fiscal crises. Many HBCUs also face challenges with retention and persistence. The mission of many HBCUs- to provide access to higher education to populations that have historically been  underrepresented  and disadvantaged- creates its own hurdles. While it is clearly worthwhile and admirable to provide opportunities for students, the results can be discouraging when a significant percentage of matriculated students are ill-prepared to succeed in college-level coursework. Texas Southern University, for example, has just a 6% four-year graduation rate, Southern University in New Orleans has a 5% rate, and numbers in the low teens and single digits are not unusual. The Best HCBUs While the challenges facing many HCBUs are significant, some schools are flourishing. Spelman College  (a womens college) and Howard University tend to top the national rankings of HCBUs. Spelman, in fact, has the highest graduation rate of any Historically Black College, and it also tends to win high marks for social mobility. Howard is a prestigious research university that grants hundreds of doctoral degrees every year. Other notable Historically Black Colleges and Universities include Morehouse College (a mens college), Hampton University, Florida AM, Claflin University, and Tuskegee University. Youll find impressive academic programs and rich co-curricular opportunities at these schools, and youll also find that the overall value tends to be high.