Untangling Faculty Turnover: Exploring Retention and Attrition at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have made significant contributions to American higher education. Despite the essential role of faculty in higher education and talent development, HBCUs face an increasing threat of faculty attrition. Inspired by the social exchange theory, which focuses on the exchange and reciprocal dynamics between parties, this study leverages empirical survey data to explore the reasons faculty choose to remain at, return to, or depart from HBCUs. Findings indicate that faculty attrition at HBCUs is driven by the pursuit of better career opportunities, enhanced research support, and a more favorable institutional environment. Conversely, faculty retention is influenced by altruistic motivations and advantaged development opportunities. The study provides several implications for improving faculty retention at HBCUs.