HBCUs are equality-minded colleges and universities that cater to the African American population but welcome students of all backgrounds
Lincoln University is known for a lot of things: its wealth of famous alumni (including Langston Hughes and Thurgood Marshall), its raging school spirit and its socially aware student body.
Lincoln University is also known for being a historically black college.
What they are and who should apply
Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are schools that cater to students in an equality-minded environment. Many HBCUs compete with other prestigious schools for their top-quality applicants.
HBCUs can provide students with a learning environment that builds on African-American cultural background and history. The application process for HBCUs is the same as applying to other colleges.
“We encourage all African-American students to consider coming to an HBCU to get a very positive, different kind of college experience,” says Cedar Lawrence, a staffer in the Office of Recruitment at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Ga.
How are the schools different?
The ethnic makeup of the student body is the most easily identified difference among HBCUs and other colleges. But there are other differences, too.
“While history classes at most other schools overlook the influence of people of color in history in the United States and abroad when people of color tended to be slaves, our classes go deeper and recognize their contributions when historians ignored them,” says Bella Anne Ndubuisi, a 2007 graduate of Lincoln University. “You learn about how beautiful your culture is.”
Many students at HBCUs have witnessed discrimination or inequality in their lives. Because of that, Ndubuisi says, it is “considered very important among students to be an activist at this school. People are very open to discussing the issues facing people of color, like health care, education and inner-city schools. People are very open to change and talking about solutions to make things better.”
Many HCBUs also attract first-generation college students. “It’s exhilarating to think that our students are the first generation or the second generation in their families to go to college, and that we’re helping them,” Lawrence says.
Reflecting traditions
School spirit also tends to be huge at HCBUs. “We look at ourselves as a family, and when anyone in the family does well, we are supporting that and backing that,” Lawrence says.
“Historically black colleges give an environment where you can really get to learning and being yourself and not having to worry about what people think of your race or what stereotypes people have about you.” Ndubuisi says. “It’s a great place to learn how to lead.”
Notable HBCU students
- Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Morehouse College)
- Feminist and poet Alice Walker (Spelman College)
- Civil rights activist W.E.B. DuBois (Fisk University)
- Jazz composer George Russell (Wilberforce University)
- Civil rights activist Victoria Gray Adams (Wilberforce University)
What’s an HSI?
Hispanic-serving institutions, or HSIs, are colleges where at least 25 percent of students are Hispanic.
At Estrella Mountain Community College in Avondale, Ariz., there are early admissions outreach programs, tutoring and scholarships available that specifically cater to Hispanic students.
“At our campus, we do celebrate all cultures, but we have a very strong celebration of Hispanic history and culture that goes on,” says Lauren Shellenberger, interim vice president of student affairs there.
This article is provided by The Next Step Magazine (nextSTEPmag.com), a publication that helps students prepare for life after high school.