Book excerpt: As more Americans are attending college, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are now in a position where they must directly compete with other institutions. While other colleges and universities might have more resources and stronger infrastructures, HBCUs provide better opportunities to meet the needs of students of color. Setting a New Agenda for Student Engagement and Retention in Historically Black Colleges and Universities explores the innovations that HBCUs can enact to better serve and prepare the next generation of African American leaders, and to be more competitive in the higher education landscape. As students need different forms of support throughout their academic career, it becomes necessary to engage them through mentorship, programming, and classroom management. This book is a valuable resource for educators and administration at HBCUs, sociologists, policy makers, and students studying education science and administration.