The experience gained at a Historically Black College or University is one rooted in storied tradition and invaluable opportunities. Its history dates back to 1865 when barriers placed on the African American society were eased and opportunities for them to achieve the American Dream were extended. This first happened at the end of the Civil War to provide African Americans with previously denied opportunities. The education sought after by Blacks was used as ammunition to fight against an ailing situation entailing segregation, illiteracy, poverty and racism. The Black community thought of education as a gateway to their future.
Some 100 years later, as Blacks again were fighting for equal rights, the Higher Education Act of 1965 defined a HBCU as any Historically Black College or University that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans. The HBCU best represents the steadfast desire of the Black population to be educated and influential.
Ed Wiley III, editing manager for BET.com, was the first to rank HBCUs. He conducted his research while employed at Young Sisters and Brothers magazine (YSB) and would write articles reflecting his findings. “I believe that the mission of the HBCU is to turn potential into success,” says Wiley.
Today, many African Americans choose to venture through the doors of Historically Black Colleges or Universities instead of Predominantly White Institutions, in an attempt to join a community of like-minded students and immerse themselves in Black history and culture. These colleges provide an opportunity that may be unavailable and unattainable elsewhere; students are able to tap into their history which later makes way for their destiny. A Historically Black College or University fosters healthy social relationships, ethnic pride and self-esteem. Students are given the opportunity to experience a healthy integration into campus life and extracurricular offerings that result in scholastic achievement. To date, there are 103 Historically Black Colleges or Universities in the United States.
"A HBCU better equips students with the ability to be successful in Corporate America by giving them a sense to succeed,” says Wiley.
On a national level, HBCUs recently received unprecedented attention. In the month of September of this year, U.S. News and World Report, a reputable print magazine that reports on international and domestic affairs produced its first ever ranking of the undergraduate education at Historically Black Colleges or Universities. In total, there were 81 HBCUs eligible to be ranked, and 11 of those were unranked.
The ranking system rests on two pillars. It relies on quantitative measures that education experts have proposed as reliable indicators of academic quality, and it is based on the U.S. News’ nonpartisan view of what matters in education. The indicators used to capture academic quality fall into seven categories: assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving. The indicators include input measures that reflect a school’s student body, its faculty, and its financial resources, along with outcome measures that signal how well the institution does its job of educating students.
The top four schools ranked include; Spelman College (GA), Howard University (DC), Hampton University (VA), and Morehouse College (GA).
Some 100 years later, as Blacks again were fighting for equal rights, the Higher Education Act of 1965 defined a HBCU as any Historically Black College or University that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans. The HBCU best represents the steadfast desire of the Black population to be educated and influential.
Ed Wiley III, editing manager for BET.com, was the first to rank HBCUs. He conducted his research while employed at Young Sisters and Brothers magazine (YSB) and would write articles reflecting his findings. “I believe that the mission of the HBCU is to turn potential into success,” says Wiley.
Today, many African Americans choose to venture through the doors of Historically Black Colleges or Universities instead of Predominantly White Institutions, in an attempt to join a community of like-minded students and immerse themselves in Black history and culture. These colleges provide an opportunity that may be unavailable and unattainable elsewhere; students are able to tap into their history which later makes way for their destiny. A Historically Black College or University fosters healthy social relationships, ethnic pride and self-esteem. Students are given the opportunity to experience a healthy integration into campus life and extracurricular offerings that result in scholastic achievement. To date, there are 103 Historically Black Colleges or Universities in the United States.
"A HBCU better equips students with the ability to be successful in Corporate America by giving them a sense to succeed,” says Wiley.
On a national level, HBCUs recently received unprecedented attention. In the month of September of this year, U.S. News and World Report, a reputable print magazine that reports on international and domestic affairs produced its first ever ranking of the undergraduate education at Historically Black Colleges or Universities. In total, there were 81 HBCUs eligible to be ranked, and 11 of those were unranked.
The ranking system rests on two pillars. It relies on quantitative measures that education experts have proposed as reliable indicators of academic quality, and it is based on the U.S. News’ nonpartisan view of what matters in education. The indicators used to capture academic quality fall into seven categories: assessment by administrators at peer institutions, retention of students, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources, and alumni giving. The indicators include input measures that reflect a school’s student body, its faculty, and its financial resources, along with outcome measures that signal how well the institution does its job of educating students.
The top four schools ranked include; Spelman College (GA), Howard University (DC), Hampton University (VA), and Morehouse College (GA).
“The skill sets and moral values extended to me [at Morehouse] have assisted in my development as a leader,” says Marcus Daniels, a junior student majoring in the field of finance at Morehouse College. Daniels was first influenced to attend a HBCU due to the environment and sense of nurture it presents.
It has been noted that Black students belonging to HBCUs, in general, have better scholastic achievement, greater social involvement, and higher occupational aspirations than Black students who attend Predominantly White Institutions. This is due to the extensive support, acceptance, encouragement, and connection extended on Black campuses.
A 2,005 undergraduate student of Tuskegee University, Tryan Mickens, says in the article entitled The Crossroads of History: America's Best Black Colleges published in the September 2007 issue of U.S. News and World Report that to be around students who are like you and as ambitious as you are at a HBCU proves to be encouraging and empowering.
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has confirmed that HBCUs graduate 75% more of their African American students than other schools do and they are named the institutions that adequately graduate African American students, who are poised to be competitive in various arenas upon graduation.
The statistics prove that the mentorship offered at a HBCU aide in the success rate of its students.
As a reference, Kweisi Mfume in public service, Earl G. Graves, Sr. in business and publishing, Oprah Winfrey and the late Ed Bradley in communications, and Cathy Hughes in entrepreneurship are a few African Americans who are products of the HBCU experience. They acquired knowledge to not only assist in their development but, used what they acquired to live up to their expectations.
H. Patrick Swygert, president of Howard University, believes that there are many similarities on college campuses throughout the world, but the environment at a HBCU is incomparable and sets them apart from the rest. “The environment tends to be nurturing,” he says in an interview conducted by U.S.News and World Report entitled, The HBCU Experience.
The connection amongst faculty and staff minorities at a HBCU presents a gateway of opportunities. Many professors who teach at HBCUs are found to be of different ethnicities and/or minorities and are able to profess to students the importance of encompassing a more competitive edge in their field of study than that of White counterparts. They illustrate the conditions and struggles of Black America in the corporate world and convey rules of strategy to their students so that they may achieve.
The HBCU experience is all about giving back; professors giving unconditionally to students.
“HBCU professors are determined to teach and invest in the success of their students,” says Deborah Robinson, a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court, who earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Morgan State University (HBCU) and her Master’s Degree from Emory College (PWI).
Robinson indicated that her experience at a HBCU was far greater than that at a PWI. “The lessons I learned at Morgan State University made me work harder,” says Robinson.
Wiley has voiced that many White students are found throughout Howard University Law School, Xavier University Pharmaceutical School, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technology School to name a few. He believes that White students who attend HBCUs not only know that the financial package is better, but they are confident that they will be nurtured and taught accurately.
While Robinson fears that the culture of the HBCU will cease as many White students enroll, Wiley begs to differ. “It’s all about filling classrooms,” says Wiley.
It is a common misconception that all persons who attend HBCUs come from the same background and culture. The diversity presented at a HBCU however is utterly amazing. The different views and teachings of African Americans are learned and the diversification of the culture is embraced on HBCU campuses.
“The diversity at a HBCU strengthens students and allows for one’s culture to be identified,” says Ben Secundy, a graduate of Morgan State University’s undergraduate and graduate programs, who attended the school in the Vietnam era.
Alongside the diversity presented by African Americans on Black campuses, many HBCUs are now becoming more diverse, with increased numbers of White, Hispanic, and international students.
"I sincerely believe that HBCUs are the meccas of a true multicultural experience," says Elizabeth City State University graduate and faculty member, Kevin Wade, in the article entitled The Crossroads of History: America's Best Black Colleges published in the September 2007 issue of U.S. News and World Report.
Many recruiters for graduate schools and companies frequent HBCU campuses. They understand the importance of diversity in today’s world and gravitate to an environment populated by minority. Although much diversity is not found throughout the classrooms of HBCUs, students are able to learn about the corporate world, which is driven by White America, and present themselves well to recruiters.
While some people believe that Blacks should not attend HBCUs as it will hinder their exposure to diversity, Wiley concludes that there is nothing wrong with it.
“We live in White America,” says Wiley. “Black people do not need to go to a White school to learn about White folks.”
By far, the HBCU does not inhibit the Black community. If anything, it makes them stronger and more marketable.
The tuition required at HBCUs has proven to be more affordable than Predominantly White Institutions and students are granted a better opportunity to engage in the collegiate experience.
According to the Princeton Review, the top ranked HBCU, Spelman College, requires an out-of-state tuition of $14,470 annually, while the top ranked PWI, Harvard College requires an out-of-state tuition of $30,275 annually.
The percentage rate of undergraduate students receiving need-based financial aid at Spelman College is 75 percent while it is only 49 percent at Harvard College.
There are a number of organizations throughout the campuses of Historically Black Colleges or Universities. They enable students a chance to dive into extracurricular activities and unite with their peers outside of the classroom. Many provide networking opportunities that later make way for future successes.
It has been noted that Black students belonging to HBCUs, in general, have better scholastic achievement, greater social involvement, and higher occupational aspirations than Black students who attend Predominantly White Institutions. This is due to the extensive support, acceptance, encouragement, and connection extended on Black campuses.
A 2,005 undergraduate student of Tuskegee University, Tryan Mickens, says in the article entitled The Crossroads of History: America's Best Black Colleges published in the September 2007 issue of U.S. News and World Report that to be around students who are like you and as ambitious as you are at a HBCU proves to be encouraging and empowering.
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has confirmed that HBCUs graduate 75% more of their African American students than other schools do and they are named the institutions that adequately graduate African American students, who are poised to be competitive in various arenas upon graduation.
The statistics prove that the mentorship offered at a HBCU aide in the success rate of its students.
As a reference, Kweisi Mfume in public service, Earl G. Graves, Sr. in business and publishing, Oprah Winfrey and the late Ed Bradley in communications, and Cathy Hughes in entrepreneurship are a few African Americans who are products of the HBCU experience. They acquired knowledge to not only assist in their development but, used what they acquired to live up to their expectations.
H. Patrick Swygert, president of Howard University, believes that there are many similarities on college campuses throughout the world, but the environment at a HBCU is incomparable and sets them apart from the rest. “The environment tends to be nurturing,” he says in an interview conducted by U.S.News and World Report entitled, The HBCU Experience.
The connection amongst faculty and staff minorities at a HBCU presents a gateway of opportunities. Many professors who teach at HBCUs are found to be of different ethnicities and/or minorities and are able to profess to students the importance of encompassing a more competitive edge in their field of study than that of White counterparts. They illustrate the conditions and struggles of Black America in the corporate world and convey rules of strategy to their students so that they may achieve.
The HBCU experience is all about giving back; professors giving unconditionally to students.
“HBCU professors are determined to teach and invest in the success of their students,” says Deborah Robinson, a Magistrate Judge for the United States District Court, who earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Morgan State University (HBCU) and her Master’s Degree from Emory College (PWI).
Robinson indicated that her experience at a HBCU was far greater than that at a PWI. “The lessons I learned at Morgan State University made me work harder,” says Robinson.
Wiley has voiced that many White students are found throughout Howard University Law School, Xavier University Pharmaceutical School, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technology School to name a few. He believes that White students who attend HBCUs not only know that the financial package is better, but they are confident that they will be nurtured and taught accurately.
While Robinson fears that the culture of the HBCU will cease as many White students enroll, Wiley begs to differ. “It’s all about filling classrooms,” says Wiley.
It is a common misconception that all persons who attend HBCUs come from the same background and culture. The diversity presented at a HBCU however is utterly amazing. The different views and teachings of African Americans are learned and the diversification of the culture is embraced on HBCU campuses.
“The diversity at a HBCU strengthens students and allows for one’s culture to be identified,” says Ben Secundy, a graduate of Morgan State University’s undergraduate and graduate programs, who attended the school in the Vietnam era.
Alongside the diversity presented by African Americans on Black campuses, many HBCUs are now becoming more diverse, with increased numbers of White, Hispanic, and international students.
"I sincerely believe that HBCUs are the meccas of a true multicultural experience," says Elizabeth City State University graduate and faculty member, Kevin Wade, in the article entitled The Crossroads of History: America's Best Black Colleges published in the September 2007 issue of U.S. News and World Report.
Many recruiters for graduate schools and companies frequent HBCU campuses. They understand the importance of diversity in today’s world and gravitate to an environment populated by minority. Although much diversity is not found throughout the classrooms of HBCUs, students are able to learn about the corporate world, which is driven by White America, and present themselves well to recruiters.
While some people believe that Blacks should not attend HBCUs as it will hinder their exposure to diversity, Wiley concludes that there is nothing wrong with it.
“We live in White America,” says Wiley. “Black people do not need to go to a White school to learn about White folks.”
By far, the HBCU does not inhibit the Black community. If anything, it makes them stronger and more marketable.
The tuition required at HBCUs has proven to be more affordable than Predominantly White Institutions and students are granted a better opportunity to engage in the collegiate experience.
According to the Princeton Review, the top ranked HBCU, Spelman College, requires an out-of-state tuition of $14,470 annually, while the top ranked PWI, Harvard College requires an out-of-state tuition of $30,275 annually.
The percentage rate of undergraduate students receiving need-based financial aid at Spelman College is 75 percent while it is only 49 percent at Harvard College.
There are a number of organizations throughout the campuses of Historically Black Colleges or Universities. They enable students a chance to dive into extracurricular activities and unite with their peers outside of the classroom. Many provide networking opportunities that later make way for future successes.
Secundy believes that the extracurricular activities offered at HBCUs allow for adjustment and serve as a catalyst to socialization.
Black students who attend PWIs may try to join organizations that reflect their culture, in an attempt to grasp hold of a connection that the broader community does not provide. However, the connection that they search to find is no stranger to the eye at HBCUs.
Graduation rates have served as a challenge for Black colleges. Many students who attend HBCUs belong to low-income families and have to drop out of school as a result of financial instability.
Funding for historically black colleges and universities is limited. They have not been funded at a level needed to create parity in the educational achievements of its students. In some cases, the chronic under-funding has led to accreditation questioning.
Although many companies look to students of minority in an effort to diversify their schools and/or companies, some adhere to racial profiling through singling out their recruitment and eliminating certain schools based on their accredited discipline of study.
HBCUs are losing some of its brightest students to Ivy League and Predominantly White Institutions due to financial aid, name affiliation and cultural acceptance.
“Nothing is wrong with it, It is good that we [African Americans] are found everywhere,” says Wiley.
The traditional HBCU continues to foster the growth of those who attend through levels of academic and extracurricular offerings. It allows Black America to nurture their culture. The HBCU promotes scholastic achievement and continues to serve as a passport to the future of African Americans to follow.
It is the duty of the African American community to extol the virtues of their institutions to upcoming college students in an attempt to keep the momentum going.
“People need to recognize the worth of a HBCU”, says Wiley.
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