Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are educational institutions in the US catering to African-American students aspiring for higher education. HBCUs are not black community-exclusive; they are accessible to students of any background. History dates the origin of HBCUs to pre-1964 period when they were established for the purpose of serving the black fraternity. There are currently 105 HBCUs (Source: Wikipedia) in United States of America, most of which are situated in the pre-Civil War slave territories of the U.S.. Lincoln University, Pennsylvania, is one of the most renowned historically black colleges that has produced many famous personalities including Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall and poet Langston Hughes. It is also reputed for its remarkable school spirit and a socially-responsible student body. The application procedure in HBCUs is exactly the same as in other colleges or universities. Founders of HBCU institutions are known to lay emphasis on the creation of a positive ambience for their students so that they have a totally new encouraging experience. While ethnicity is one of the major differentiators of HBCUs from other educational institutions, students feel there are other differences too. Study lessons offer deeper insights into the Black culture, including their achievements and contributions to history, which conventional institutions fail to focus on. Secondly, the issues of colored people, to include their fundamental rights, healthcare, education, etc., are discussed openly. Students also feel that HBCUs empower them with the sense of identity, of being themselves, without having to face the fear of discrimination.
I would love to see more HBCUs offer online programs. To me that is a great way to increase enrollment. But, to be competitive, HBCUs would need to have affordable tuition rates; HBCUs can be expensive.
