Spectrum News: The nation sees an increasing number of Black college graduates
UC medical student Austin Thompson weighs in on the trend
Spectrum News examined an ongoing trend of Black adults obtaining college degrees in the United States. The U.S. Census Bureau found that 27.8% of Black people age 25 or older have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher. That compares to 1% of the Black population having held a bachelor’s degree in 1940.
Austin Thompson, a 2019 UC Arts and Sciences graduate and third-year UC medical student, spoke with Spectrum News about the trend of Black adults obtaining bachelor’s degree and continuing that education with advanced degrees. Thompson is part of mentoring program in the UC College of Medicine aimed at aiding Black men in medical school. Evan Thompson, Austin’s younger brother, is a third-year business analytics at UC, also featured during the segment.
Listen to the full Spectrum News report online.
Learn more about Black men in medical school at UC.
Featured image shows from left to right, UC faculty members, Senu Apewokin, MD, and Alvin Crawford, MD, along with UC medical students Adam Butler, Austin Thompson and Michael Deal.
Related Stories
World class: Alumni travel program connects Bearcats on global scale
January 7, 2026
Most people have a natural curiosity to see the world. Meanwhile, most Bearcats enjoy being around other Bearcats. Alumni can check both boxes through the UC Alumni Association’s travel program, which offers about half a dozen excursions each year to fascinating places around the globe.
UC launches Bearcat Affordability Grant
January 7, 2026
The University of Cincinnati is making college more attainable for students across Ohio with the creation of the Bearcat Affordability Grant. The new grant will provide a pathway to tuition-free college for students of families who make less than $75,000 per year. Beginning in fall 2026, the Bearcat Affordability Grant will cover the remaining cost of tuition for Ohio residents who are Pell eligible.
How aerospace is turning to trustworthy AI
January 6, 2026
UC College of Engineering and Applied Science graduate Lynn Pickering talks to the Ohio Federal Research Network about her research into artificial intelligence and the future of AI in aerospace engineering.