In a recent interview on PBS’s Tavis Smiley Show, President Hrabowski shared how his experiences as a young boy during the Civil Rights movement shaped his future in higher education and inspired his pursuit of STEM achievement for students of all backgrounds.

Much of the discussion revolved around topics addressed in Dr. Hrabowski’s latest book, Holding Fast to Dreams.

Dr. Hrabowski recounted meeting Martin Luther King, Jr. and participating in a peaceful march, which led to his arrest. He also commented on how the experience compelled him, and many others, to take a more active role supporting the community and each other. “We Americans have the right to say when we think something is wrong, and that we can make a difference,” said Dr. Hrabowski.

During the interview, Dr. Hrabowski also addressed public perception of standardized tests, noting that while we need to be mindful of the limitations of test scores as a measure of success in student achievement, they serve an important role in the educational process.

“We want to make sure we’re not simply testing and penalizing children, but tests are important,” he said.

Dr. Hrabowski also emphasized the importance of increased support for all students. “We have to make sure we’re giving children, families, and teachers the support they need in ensuring that the child learns how to do well on standardized tests,” he said.