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Elgloria Harrison Co-Authors Studies on HBCU Law Clinics’ Impact
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September 25, 2025
Two studies co-authored by Elgloria Harrison, dean of the School of Health Sciences, Human Services, and Nursing, highlight how law school clinics at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) serve as vital engines of equity.
The studies, "Bridging the divide: the role of HBCU law schools in addressing the equitable development goals of US metropolitan areas" and "Community Cornerstones: An Analysis of HBCU Law School Clinical Programs’ Impact on Surrounding Communities" each demonstrate the critical role these clinics play in underserved communities while simultaneously advancing their institutions' missions of equity and justice.
Harrison, a public health expert, became involved in the research largely because of her experience as an HBCU alumna and scholar, and the strong parallels between her field and public interest law.
“This work was framed throughout from a social justice lens,” she said. “Public health is uniquely embedded in the framework of social justice, where it looks at the health and well-being of the population as a whole: economics, educational attainment, the built environment, discrimination, and government policies that support or hinder community progress.”
She and her co-authors identified key indicators—advocacy, engagement, client outcomes, and representation—to evaluate the programs’ impact. They found that the clinics, which provide legal support in areas such as housing, immigration, and economic justice, align closely with community development priorities.
“We don’t often get a chance to share what HBCUs really mean to their communities,” Harrison added. “And it is rarely acknowledged that even with the lack of adequate funding, HBCUs have done so much, for so many, with so few resources.”