Rodney Cohen is the director of Multicultural Affairs at Presbyterian College in South Carolina.On September 5, 2008, he addressed the Society on the subject of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
Cohen is the author of two books on the history of Historical HBCUs: The Black Colleges of Atlanta and Fisk University along with a number of articles published about HBCUs in the International Journal of Educational Advancement and the Journal of Urban Education. He is currently researching the history and legacy of black fraternal groups, literary and debate societies prior to the 20th century.His other research interests include alumni giving traditions at historically black colleges and black alumni groups at majority colleges and universities.
Dr. Cohen received his Bachelors degree from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia and his masters from Western Kentucky University and his doctorate from Vanderbilt University. His dissertation was Black College Alumni; the perceptions, attitudes and giving behaviors of African American alumni at selected HBCUs. Dr. Cohen is an active Rotarian, a member of the National Eagle Scout Association, the Laurens County Cycling Club and a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.