Robert Mason, a prominent advocate for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the founder of the Common Black College Application (CBCA), has died at the age of 66. His brother, Todd Mason, confirmed his death, though a cause has not yet been released.
Mason established the CBCA in 1998, creating a unified application system that allows students to apply to more than 60 HBCUs simultaneously for a single fee. This initiative was inspired by the Common Application, a widely used platform for over 1,000 other colleges and universities nationwide.
The CBCA's mission, as stated by Mason's team, was rooted in the belief that "every Black student deserved the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial barriers." The organization also facilitated access to scholarship opportunities, aiming to help students achieve their educational aspirations.
Mason's own educational journey began with challenges. Raised in Roanoke, Virginia, by a single mother, he graduated near the bottom of his high school class with a 1.9 GPA. His acceptance to Virginia State University in 1978 marked a pivotal moment. After earning a bachelor's degree in sociology from Virginia State, he pursued a master's degree in public administration from Clark Atlanta University, where he later worked in admissions. It was during his tenure at Clark Atlanta that the concept for the CBCA emerged.
"I was always being asked, ‘Why is this particular college not being represented or why is this particular school not here?’ And I didn’t have an answer," Mason recalled in a 2023 interview with U.S. News & World Report. "What sets the CBCA apart is our unwavering commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities."
Since its inception, the CBCA has served more than 500,000 students. Tanya Mitchell, a school counselor and longtime colleague, noted that Mason's work had a dual purpose: introducing students to HBCUs and assisting smaller institutions with recruitment. Mitchell credited Mason with helping to "break a cycle of poverty in the lives of hundreds of thousands of students worldwide."
In the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to end race-conscious college admissions, there has been a renewed interest in HBCUs. Tekora Scruggs, founder of the nonprofit Rooted to Rise, stated that the CBCA remains highly relevant, exposing students to the diversity of HBCUs—from private and small institutions to those across different states. Scruggs emphasized that the application service provided not only a pathway to apply but also crucial information about the importance of HBCUs today, impacting students' understanding of their culture and heritage.