Deondra Rose Honored with APSA Award for Best Book on Race and Political Change

Deondra Rose, Duke Sanford professor and author of “The Power of Black Excellence,” has been awarded the 2025 American Political Science Association (APSA) Race, Ethnicity and Politics (REP) section award for the Best Book on Race and Political Change. 

Presented during the 2025 APSA Annual Meeting, the award recognizes the best research exploring the multiple junctures between politics and issues of race, ethnicity, immigration, and indigeneity, as well as their intersections with other axes of identity and marginalization.

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In “The Power of Black Excellence: HBCUs and the Fight for American Democracy (Oxford University Press, 2024),” Rose provides an authoritative history of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the unique role they have played in shaping American democracy since 1836. Drawing on more than six years of in-depth research, she brings into view the historic impact of government support for HBCUs on the American political landscape, arguing that they have been essential not only in empowering Black citizens but also in reshaping the distribution of political power in the United States.

At an “Author Meets Critics” session during the annual meeting in Vancouver, Rose discussed her book with leading scholars of education, race and American Political Development. The session was chaired by Alvin Tillery (Northwestern University) and included Kimberley Johnson (NYU), Domingo Morel (NYU) and Sally Nuamah (Northwestern University).

Reflecting on the award, Rose said: “Historically Black Colleges and Universities are crucial educational institutions that have supported American democracy by fostering the development of generations of Black leaders and actively engaged citizens. I'm honored to receive this recognition for 'The Power of Black Excellence' and am deeply grateful to the American Political Science Association and the Race, Ethnicity and Politics section for this award.”

Rose is a professor of public policy, political science, and history at the Duke Sanford School of Public Policy. Her research focuses on U.S. higher education policy, political behavior, American Political Development (APD), and the politics of identity, particularly in relation to gender, race and socioeconomic status.