Robert Mason, HBCU Advocate and Founder of the Common Black College Application, Dies at 66

Robert Mason, an author, higher-education professional and longtime advocate for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), has died at the age of 66, his family and colleagues confirmed. Todd Mason, his brother, told HuffPost of his passing; no cause of death has been disclosed.

Creator of the Common Black College Application

Mason was best known for creating the Common Black College Application (CBCA), an online portal that allows prospective students to submit a single application to more than 60 HBCUs — including Morehouse College, Claflin University and Tennessee State University — for a single, affordable fee.

"He believed that every Black student deserved the opportunity to pursue higher education without financial barriers," Mason's CBCA team said in a statement. "Through the Common Scholarship Application, he worked tirelessly to connect students with scholarship opportunities that would help them achieve their educational goals and realize their full potential."

Mason said he drew inspiration from the Common Application, the national platform that enables students to apply to hundreds of colleges with one submission. "What sets the CBCA apart is our unwavering commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities," he told U.S. News & World Report in 2023. "HBCUs have long served as engines of economic mobility and social change, and we are proud to support their enrollment efforts while connecting students with institutions where they can thrive academically and personally."

From Roanoke to Building Access

Born in Roanoke, Virginia, and raised by a single mother, Mason's path to higher education was not straightforward. He finished high school with a 1.9 GPA but was accepted to Virginia State University in 1978 — a turning point that shaped his life and career. He earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Virginia State, became a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Incorporated, and later completed a master's degree in public administration at Clark Atlanta University.

While working in admissions at Clark Atlanta, Mason conceived the idea for the CBCA after repeatedly fielding questions about uneven representation and access among HBCUs. The service launched in 1998 with 80 applicants in its first year; according to the CBCA website, more than 500,000 students have used the platform since then.

Legacy and Renewed Relevance

The platform has taken on renewed importance following a U.S. Supreme Court decision that curbed race-conscious college admissions, prompting more students to explore HBCUs. Tekora Scruggs, founder of the college-access nonprofit Rooted to Rise and a two-decade higher-education professional, said the CBCA continues to play a vital role.

"It exposed students to the different types of HBCUs — private and small schools; HBCUs in Alabama, Florida and Virginia," Scruggs said. "It showed students not only how to apply but why HBCUs are important today. The impact he had was tremendous. The opportunity for students to learn about HBCUs reached beyond just applying. They were learning about their culture, why HBCUs were built and why they are still so important."

Mason's work expanded access to higher education and helped introduce generations of students to HBCU campuses and cultures. His colleagues say his passion for educational equity will continue to influence enrollment efforts and scholarship access for years to come.

Note: Funeral or memorial arrangements had not been announced at the time of publication.