Author: Staff Writer

Explore HBCU – Allen University

Staff Writer
September 8, 2022

Allen University is a public, liberal arts, Christian, historically Black university located in Columbia, South Carolina.

Background

In 1870, Allen University was founded by the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church. Under the leadership of Bishop John M. Brown, a 150-acre stretch of land was purchased in historic Cokesbury, South Carolina. At the Annual Conference, the deed for the land and buildings were presented and the institute was named in honor of Daniel Alexander Payne, an apostle of Black education in the United States. For the first 10 years since the school’s inception the school prospered in its original mission to develop an educated Black clergy in the face of discrimination and violent opposition. 

In 1880, delegates at the Annual Conference agreed on the need for a more centralized location for the Payne Institute and voted to move it to Columbia, SC. The institute was renamed Allen University to honor Bishop Richard Allen, the founder of the AME Church, and Theological and Law Departments were subsequently formed. While the school curriculum originally made it possible for students to enter Allen in the first grade and leave as fully trained ministers, lawyers, and educators, by 1933 the high school was closed and the University would only accept students who had acquired a secondary high school education. In 1930, the Department of Science was formed, which was then followed by the Department of Languages, then Humanities, Philosophy, Psychology, and Religion in the 1940s.

By the 1980s, Allen worked to pursue regional accreditation and construction improvements. This included the building of the John Hurst Adams Gym and the Williams Residence Halls as well as the restoration of Arnett Hall and Chappelle Auditorium and Gallery. In addition Allen received its first accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) in the 90s along with several restoration projects that followed into the early 2000s, making Allen University the school it is today.

Programs & Opportunities

Through targeted, individually expansive areas of study, Allen University is an academic community which provides students with an opportunity to obtain baccalaureate and graduate degrees in liberal arts and professional programs through traditional and distance learning educational formats.

Allen University is host to a Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences which offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Biology and/or Mathematics (concentrations vary); a Division of Business, Education, and Social Sciences which offer Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Administration, Sports Management, Social Science, Criminal Justice, and Elementary Education (concentrations vary); a Division of Arts and Humanities which offer Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and Music (concentrations vary); and the Dickerson-Green Theological Seminary which is a graduate theological institution that works to equip students to become leaders in Christian congregational life and other settings. 

Learn more about Allen University’s education offerings here.

Alumni Affairs

At Allen University, students are exposed to curricula that follow a Total Life Curriculum model, which works towards the  preparation of the whole person for life service.

Some notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

  • Reverend Clementa Carlos Pinckney, a pastor and politician who served as a Democratic member of the South Carolina Senate, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Allen University. 
  • Lewis Carnegie Dowdy, educator, and chancellor and the sixth president of North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, was a cum laude graduate of Allen University.
  • Reverend Joseph Armstrong DeLaine, a Methodist minister and civil rights leader  in the struggle to break down the barricade of segregation, earned his Bachelor’s degree from Allen University. 

Financial Information

Allen University strives to offer a quality education at an affordable price without excessive fees, with a tuition of $6,270 per semester and $13,340 per academic year. For students taking more than 18 credit hours, a charge of $500 for each additional credit hour is appended. For students taking part in on-campus housing, room and board is $3,947 per semester or $7,894 per academic year.

The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) provides assistance to students and families in the forms of federal, state, and private resources to help meet the costs of education as much as possible.

Conclusion

Today, Allen University is engaged in the tradition of Bishop Richard Allen, continuing to teach the mind to think, the heart to love, and the hands to work.

Learn more about Allen University here.

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Explore HBCU – Xavier University of Louisiana

Staff Writer
September 6, 2022

Xavier University of Louisiana is a private, Catholic, historically Black university located in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Background

Xavier University’s founding dates back to 1915, when Sister Katherine Drexel and the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, a Catholic order established in 1890 to serve African Americans and other racial minorities opened a school on the site originally occupied by Southern University. The institution was first a high school, then a two-year normal school after expansion in 1917, then Xavier became a four-year college in 1925 when it opened the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Two years later a College of Pharmacy was opened.

Today, Xaver is well-known for its pharmacy and premedical programs, with the College of Pharmacy being one of only two pharmacy schools in Louisiana and the producer of 15% of all Black pharmacists in the US. More than 80% of the university’s pre-med students are also reportedly accepted at various medical and dental schools throughout the nation. Additionally, while the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament still remain a presence on campus, Xavier is now governed by a Board of Trustees composed of both lay persons and religious members and clergy alike.

A core discipline of the Xavier mission and curriculum lies in the university’s mission to develop students to be life-long learners and global leaders capable of active contribution for a more just and humane society. Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and located near the heart of New Orleans in a quiet neighborhood.

Programs & Opportunities

Through the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Pharmacy, Xavier University offers the following degree type opportunities: Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Master of Arts, Master of Arts in Teaching, Master of Theology, and Doctor of Pharmacy.

Specific degree programs entail over 60 focuses paired with Xavier University’s seamlessly integrated core curriculum that highlights the school culture and tradition for premier liberal arts education.

Through high impact learning experiences, community and school-focused engagement activities, and student-centered campus life programming, XULA students are exposed to individual and larger student-body holistic development. 

Learn more about what Xavier University of Louisiana has to offer here.

Alumni Affairs

Xavier University of Louisiana is committed to the contribution to global leadership and service in society by its graduates.

Some notable Xavier University of Louisiana alumni include, but are not limited to:  

  • Rear Admiral Stephen W. Rochon is a Writer, Speaker, Consultant, the former director of the Executive Residence, and the first White House Chief Usher who graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
  • Bryant Terry is a James Beard Award-winning chef, educator, and author renowned for his food justice and sustainability activism who graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Arts in English, French, and Political Science.
  • Regina Benjamin is a physician and a former vice admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps appointed by Barack Obama in 2009 who graduated from Xavier University of Louisiana with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry.

Financial Information

At Xavier University of Louisiana, tuition totals remain largely dependent on the course of study pursued by students. In the College of Arts & Sciences, tuition is an estimated $11,998 per semester, in the College of Pharmacy tuition is an estimated $18,469 per semester, in the Graduate Education Program tuition is an estimated $7,096 per semester, in the Graduate Public Health Program tuition is an estimated $8,607 per semester, in the Physician Assistant Program tuition is an estimated $12,608 per semester, in the Pre-Pharmacy program tuition is an estimated $11,998 per semester, in the Speech Pathology school tuition is an estimated $10,664 per semester, and in the Graduate Health Informatics program tuition is an estimated $8,460 per semester. 

For on-campus living services, room & board for freshmen & continuation students is a listed $6,529 per semester. 

At XULU, the financial aid office works to eliminate financial barriers to a Xavier education—walking students through different forms and types of financial aid available, how to apply for them, how to keep aid, and ways to manage finances throughout a student’s time in college.

Conclusion

Xavier maintains a reputation as one of the most effective teaching institutions anywhere, offering preparation in varied fields in the undergraduate, graduate, and professional degree levels. 

Learn more about Xavier University of Louisiana here.

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Explore HBCU – Southern University at Shreveport

Staff Writer
September 1, 2022

Southern University at Shreveport is a junior college in Shreveport, Louisiana.

Background

Established as a unit of the historically black Southern University system, Southern University at Shreveport, Louisiana (SULSA) was created by Act 42 of the ordinary session of the Louisiana Legislature in 1964. The school was subsequently designated a 2-year commuter college to serve the Shreveport-Bossier City area and the Northwest Louisiana school had an initial student body of approximately 750 students. 

The school opened for instruction in September of 1967 and seven years later, the Louisiana Coordinating Council for Higher Education granted the institution six associate degree program approvals. The school also began to explore the nature of the comprehensive community college with a push toward instruction in paraprofessional and occupational educational opportunities. A consent decree was ordered in 1981 by the Federal Justice Department that led to major changes to SULSA: new administrative procedures, creation and utilization of long-range plans and programs, extension initiatives, and even the interchange of students and faculty with Bossier Parish Community College. 

Today, Southern University at Shreveport features a low student to faculty ratio of 15 to 1, and remains committed to the education development of its students for individual and global empowerment. 

Programs & Opportunities

Southern University at Shreveport has been voted the 3rd best two-year university in a Washington Monthly Magazine, recognized as the 6th fastest growing 2-year institution in the country, and ranked 44th among 2-year institutions graduating African American students.

Through programs offered online and at three academic centers throughout the Shreveport community, SULSA offers comprehensive programming across the following areas: six Associate of Applied Science degrees, one Associate of Arts, seven Associate of Science, and one Associate of General Studies. The school offers several concentrations offered in Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of General Studies. SULSA also offers nine Certificates of Technical Studies, three Certificates of Applied Science, one Technical Diploma, and continuing education non-credit programs for Practical Nursing and Nursing Assistantship.

Learn more about what Southern University at Shreveport has to offer here.

Alumni Affairs

Southern University at Shreveport is an institution committed to supporting an ever-growing population of students and members of Louisiana and the greater community.

Some notable alumni from Southern University at Shreveport include, but are not limited to:

  • Renee Coulberson, Supervisor at JPMorgan Chase, attended Southern University at Shreveport to study Business Administration and Management.
  • Andrew Butler Sr., experienced Associate, Manager, Supervisor, Warehouse Leader and Healthcare Worker at Fresenius Medical Care North America studied Southern University at Shreveport to study Business Administration and Management, with a General Focus.
  • Chantel Walters, experienced Security Professional with a demonstrated history of working in the security and investigations industry, earned an Associate of Arts and Sciences from Southern University at Shreveport in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration.

Financial Information

For Southern University at Shreveport students, tuition and fees vary according to student classification and credit hour load. On average, a full-time load of 12 credit hours per semester totals to $2,468 for Louisiana resident students, $4,118 for non-Louisiana residents, and $4,443 students.

At SULSA, the Financial Aid Office strives to provide students with assistance throughout financial aid processes that help students meet their college expenses. Financial aid options come in a variety of forms, namely scholarships, grants, loans, and student employment.

Conclusion

At Southern University at Shreveport, Louisiana, students become better prepared and well-equipped for degree attainment, transfer, entry into the workforce, the beginning of continuous learning, and self-improvement proceedings.

Learn more about Southern University at Shreveport here. 

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Explore HBCU – Southern University at New Orleans

Staff Writer

Southern University at New Orleans is a public, historically Black university located in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Background

Originally founded in 1880 in New Orleans, Louisiana Southern University in New Orleans began its mission of providing post-secondary education for African Americans. In 1890 the school’s name was changed to Southern University as the school was subsequently recognized as a land grant college.

Southern University, New Orleans (SUNO)—a branch of the 3-part Southern University system—was established in 1956 and is one of the first historically black schools established after the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education decision which officially desegregated educational institutions. The school opened in 1959 and awarded its first baccalaureate degrees in 1963. It soon developed into a four-year, largely commuter student based university with a variety of evening and weekend study programs.

While the school was established as an open community of learners, classes began with 158 freshmen, one building, and 15 highly motivated members comprising the faculty, today SUNO acts as a beacon for those looking for educational advancement. 

Programs & Opportunities

Southern University at New Orleans is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate degrees. 

Academic Programs at Southern University at New Orleans include study of Business Administration, Child Development & Family Studies, Computer Information Systems, Interdisciplinary Studies, Health Information Management Systems, Museum Studies, Natural Sciences, Public Administration, Social Sciences, Social Work, and Teacher Education.

SUNO also holds dear the belief that carefully planned and well-executed holistic co-curricular programs will help students succeed in their academic, professional, and social pursuits. Student activities, residential life, and veteran affair activities are available to build a unified SUNO community of students and faculty to create an enriched overall experience.

Learn more about Southern University at New Orleans here.

Alumni Affairs

Southern University at New Orleans is a premier institution that endeavors to advance the educational standing of its students and the communities the students go on to inhabit.

Some notable alumni from Southern University at New Orleans include, but are not limited to:

  • Louis Westerfield, law school dean at three colleges and universities, law professor, author, judge, and community leader, received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Southern University in New Orleans.
  • Oretha Castle Haley, one of Louisiana’s leading civil rights, women’s rights, and human rights activists, attended Southern University at New Orleans after graduating from Joseph S. Clark High School in 1958.
  • Lambert Boissiere III is a member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, a democratic representative forDistrict 3 who earned a Bachelor of Science from SUNO. 

Financial Information

At Southern University at New Orleans full time general fees total to $7,083.34 for Louisiana resident undergraduate students per academic year and $8,774.34 for Louisiana resident graduate students per academic year. For full-time non-Louisiana residents, out-of-state fees add up to $8,900.86 for undergraduate students and $6,941.38 for graduate students.

The Office of Student Financial Aid at SUNO works to assist students in applying for and securing the financial resources available to sufficiently pursue educational goals.

Conclusion

Southern University at New Orleans seeks to empower and promote the upward mobility of diverse populations of both traditional and nontraditional students alike through quality academic programming, teaching, research, and service.

Learn more about Southern University at New Orleans here.

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Explore HBCU – Southern University and A&M College

Staff Writer
August 25, 2022

Southern University and A&M College is a public, land-grant, historically Black university located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Background

Established by Louisiana State Legislature Act 87 in 1880, Southern University was created to serve as an institution of higher learning for students of color.  With the passage of the Second Morrill Act of 1890 which allowed Southern to be designated as a land-grant institution and for the creation of an Agricultural and Mechanical Department, the school was officially renamed Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. 

While Southern University opened its doors in New Orleans, it was subsequently relocated years later in 1912 due to Legislative Act 118 which placed the university in rural Scotlandville, Louisiana. The school received a portion of a $50,000 national land-grant appropriation in 1914, and Southern University once again opened its doors to students in this part of Baton Rouge.

In the early stages of the school’s founding up until the early 1950s, curricula was limited to vocational and industrial arts education programs with a focus on teacher education. In 1956 the Division of Technology was established to offer baccalaureate programs that lead to non-teaching degrees in electronics and by 1956 the engineering college was established at Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge.

Southern University and A&M College is one of the three institutions comprising the Southern University System, the only historically Black university system in the nation. Additionally, the school is accredited by the Commision on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Programs & Opportunities

Southern University and A&M College is home to a variety of academic programs that award bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees through undergraduate, graduate, and online programs.

At Southern University A&M College, students are exposed to coursework that span across Southern A&M’s College of Agricultural, Family, and Consumer Sciences, College of Business, Nelson Mandela College of Government and Social Sciences, College of Humanities and Interdisciplinary Studies, College of Nursing and Allied Health, and College of Sciences and Engineering.

Learn about Southern University A&M College here.

Alumni Affairs

Students from Southern University and A&M College go on to become leaders in service, teaching, research, scholarly and creative opportunities.   

Some notable alumni from Southern University A&M College include, but are not limited to:

  • Brittany Price, is an experienced recruiter, salesperson, and market development representative who works with specialty brands (some of which include Nastelé Waters, The Hershey Company, and Kellog) and graduated from Southern University and A&M College with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication & Media Studies as well as a Master of Public Administration. 
  • Michelle McCalope, Press Secretary at the Louisiana Department of Health in the Office of Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome, graduated from Southern University and A&M College with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication.
  • Joe McCoy, is a well-established Photojournalist and News Director at WVLA-TV who graduated from Southern University A&M College with a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism.

Financial Information

At Southern University A&M College, student full-time general costs total to $9,842 per academic year for undergraduate students and $11,222 per academic year for graduate students. For non-Louisiana residents, out of state fees add up to $7,350 for undergraduate students and $6,446 for graduate students.

The Office of Student Financial Aid administers a program designed to help students meet college expenses, and financial aid is administered in the form of grants, scholarships, employment, and loans.

Conclusion

With student and faculty representation from more than 20 countries, Southern University and A&M College is a melting pot for culture, service, and education. A ladder in economic and workforce development on local, state, and national levels, Southern A&M aims to provide a student-focused teaching and learning environment that creates global leadership opportunities for a diverse population. 

Learn more about Southern University A&M College here.

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Explore HBCU – Grambling State University

Staff Writer
August 23, 2022

Grambling State University is a public historically Black university in Grambling, Louisiana.

Background

In 1896, African-American farmers in north Louisiana who wanted to educate other Louisiana African Americans founded the North Louisiana Colored Agriculture Relief Association. Five years later, Grambling State University opened in November of 1901 as the Colored Industrial and Agricultural School. In order to assist the association’s educational mission, Booker T Washington sent scholar Charles P. Adams to help organize the school—Adams would go on to become the institution’s founding president.

The school was subsequently renamed the North Louisiana Agricultural and Industrial School and moved to its current location in 1905, before once again transforming in 1928 after becoming a state junior college and being renamed the Louisiana Negro Normal and Industrial Institute. The school offered two-year professional certificates and diplomas before the curriculum shifted to rural teacher education and students became able to receive professional teaching certificates. The school became Grambling College in 1946 after P.G. Grambling, a sawmill owner who donated the land where the school was built, expanded the area of study from a single purpose institution of teacher preparation to a multipurpose college. The addition of graduate study resulted in a new status and name in 1974, as the school became Grambling State University. Between 1977 and 2000 the school added several academic programs and facilities. 

Grambling State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). 

Programs & Opportunities

Grambling State University employs an academic assemblage of undergraduate and graduate degrees spanning over 40 degree programs. Students at Grambling State have the opportunity to pursue areas of study including that of accounting, biological, physical, and social sciences, education, computer information and science, criminal justice, english, communication, mathematics, music, nursing, social work, administration, and general studies.

In order to foster a well-rounded student-centered environment, Grambling State offers a variety of student engagement & leadership activities spanning academic organizations as well as General/Other Clubs and Organizations: including that of Student Government, Honor Societies, Social Sororities and Fraternities, GSU Tiger Marching Band and Choir, Religious Organizations, Honor Societies, Sports Clubs, and more.

Learn more about Grambling State University here.

Alumni Affairs

Grambling State University alumni graduates are prepared to compete and excel in contributions to the advancement of knowledge and careers.

Some notable Grambling State University alumni include, but are not limited to:

  • Charles McRay Blow is a journalist, commentator, columnist for The New York Times, and political analyst for MSNBC who graduated magna cum laude from Grambling State University, where he received a B.A. in mass communications. 
  • Judi Ann Mason was a renowned television writer, producer, and playwright, whose professional writing career began while Mason was a student at Grambling State studying Drama.
  • Ivory Nelson is an educator and scientist who graduated from Grambling State with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education with a focus in chemistry. 

Financial Information

At Grambling State University, tuition for undergraduate Louisiana Residents totals to $215 cost per credit hour for a total of $2570 for a traditional 12-16 credit semester. For graduate   Louisiana Residents, tuition totals $284 per credit hour or $2555 for a traditional 9 credit semester. For non- Louisiana residents, undergraduate tuition totals $376 per credit hour or $4511.50 for full-time students and graduate tuition totals $501.50 per credit hour or $4511.50 for full-time students.

The Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships works to help students achieve educational potential with the provision of financial resources while enhancing the overall mission of the university.

Conclusion

Grambling State University students comprise a community of learners striving for excellence. The university works to prepare graduates for success in careers, advancement of knowledge, and informed individuals in a global society.

Learn more about Grambling State University here.

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Explore HBCU – Dillard University

Staff Writer
August 18, 2022

Dillard University is a private, four-year, liberal arts historically Black college located in New Orleans, Louisiana.

Background

Dillard University is the result of a union between New Orleans University (founded in 1873) and Straight University (founded in 1869), both institutions dedicated to educating and supporting African Americans. After years of independent operation, both schools finally converged after Straight College president James P. O’Brien appealed to businessman Edgar B. Stern for financial support; this appeal interested Julius Rosenwald Fund, several prominent New Orleanians, and the General Election Board of New York for financial support on the stipulation that the two schools would conjoin. Both institutions agreed, and on June 6, 1930, the newly consolidate board of trustees proposed a charter for the opening of Dillard University, named after James Hardy Dillard, an education reformer who promoted racial equality

Dillard, which remains in the same location it was originally established, was founded with the notion of being an educational center of excellence in the South. With a focus on serving the Black community, Dillard operated under DuBoisian ideology, with the belief in education as a way to discipline the mind and stimulate “the creation of ideas and the development of the higher qualities of the individual”. 

According to U.S. News & World Reports, Dillard is ranked among the top 15 HBCUs in the nation, while recently climbing into Washington Monthly’s top 20 percent of National Liberal Art Universities.

Programs & Opportunities

Dillard University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate degrees. Through separate colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, and Nursing, Dillard University offers over 20 major and minor academic specialties.

Additionally, through a combination of social, religious, and academic societies on campus, Dillard strives to achieve an atmosphere capable of enriching students in every aspect of life. By enhancing the quality of student life with the provision of student-led organizations, campus/residential life activities, and service programs, Dillard University is an exceptional place for students to obtain an education.

Learn more about Dillard University here.

Alumni Affairs

Dillard University’s remains steeped in the mission to produce graduates who go on to become world leaders who are culturally aware, broadly educated, and concerned with bettering the human condition.

Some notable Dillard University alumni include, but are not limited to: 

  • Garrett Morris, actor and comedian, graduated from Dillard University with a degree in voice and composition.
  • Ruth Simmons, professor, academic administrator, and President of Prairie View A&M University, graduated from Dillard University with a bachelor’s degree summa cum laude.
  • The honorable Revius Ortique Jr. was the first Black justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court, jurist, and civil rights activist who graduated from Dillard University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology.

Financial Information

At Dillard University, tuition totals to $17,410 for students, with additional fees for room & board, books & supplies, transportation, personal, miscellaneous, and other mandatory fees that result in varying total estimated cost of attendance per student.

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships recognizes that obtaining a college education can be a significant financial commitment for students; as such, financial aid officers work to evaluate students’ situation and determine the best course of action to make educational attainment more feasible.  

Conclusion

Dillard University has been committed to providing students with a top-tier liberal arts education since 1869. With a highly personalized and learning-centered approach, Dillard students are equipped to meet the needs of a globally and technologically advanced society.

Learn more about Dillard University here.

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Explore HBCU – University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Staff Writer
August 16, 2022

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a public, land-grant, historically Black university located in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Background

In 1873, a legislative act called for the establishment of Branch Normal College, an extension of the Arkansas Industrial University (now the University of Arkansas). The primary objective of the institution was the education of Black students who would go on to become teachers for the state’s Black schools. In 1875, Joseph Carter Corbin—State Superintendent of Instruction and Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Arkansas Industrial University—ushered in the establishment of the Normal College in Pine Bluff, and subsequently served as the school’s Principal. 

The first location of the school was also a one-story frame house built to serve as a barrack and the inaugural class was composed of seven students. Approximately 75 to 80 students later enrolled during the school year and an estimated 45 to 50 were able to attend the last three months of the school year. After seven years, the first Pine Bluff students graduated, and between the years of 1882 and 1895, ten students would receive the Bachelor of Arts degree before the reduction of the collegiate program at Branch Normal. 

In 1927 Branch Normal College became Arkansas Agricultural, Mechanical and Normal College (AM&N). It would be nearly 50 years later before AM&N merged with the University of Arkansas and became the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.

Today UAPB is fully accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. UAPB is also now reportedly ranked fourth in the State for the amount of research funding among institutions in the University of Arkansas system.

Programs & Opportunities

The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff is a comprehensive institution, offering 28 undergraduate degrees, eight master’s degrees, and a Ph.D. program in Aquaculture Fisheries that is recognized as one of the leading programs in the nation. Through the School of Agriculture, Fisheries & Human Sciences, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Education, School of Business & Management, University College, Graduate and Continuing Education, and Associate to Bachelor’s Program, UAPB provides innovative research and educational opportunities. 

Additionally, the Division of Student Affairs works to develop, organize, administer, and coordinate services, activities, and experiences that will contribute to the holistic development of students.

Learn more about the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff here.

Alumni Affairs

UAPB is dedicated to providing access and opportunity so that students may become wholly equipped to excel through their contributions and leadership in a 21st central global community.

Some notable alumni from University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff include, but are not limited to:

  • Yaphett El-Amin, politician and former representative of a portion of St. Louis in the Missouri House of Representatives, graduated from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff with a bachelor’s degree in political science.
  • Jeff Donaldson, artist, art historian, and critic whose work helped define and articulate the philosophy of the Black Arts Movement in the 1960s and 1970s, attended the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff where he became the college’s first studio art major.
  • Raye Jean Montague, naval engineer who is largely credited with the creation of the rough draft of the first computer-generated imaging of a US naval ship, completed a degree in business from Arkansas Mechanical & Normal College (what is now known as the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff).

Financial Information

The Student Financial Services Office at UAPB works to assist students and families with accessing resources and aid to help students pursue academic success.

While fees and charges vary, tuition for undergraduate residents totals to $171 per semester credit hour, while tuition for undergraduate non-residents totals to $388 per semester credit hour. For graduate resident students, tuition totals to $216 while tuition for graduate non-resident students totals to $490. For distance learning courses, tuition varies per student classification: $187 per credit hour for undergraduate residents, $434 per credit hour for undergraduate non-residents, $207 per credit hour for graduate residents part-time, and $481 per credit hour graduate residents part-time.

Conclusion

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff both promotes and sustains excellent academic programs that integrate service programs, outreach, quality instruction, and cutting edge research.

Learn more about the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff here.

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Explore HBCU – Shorter College

Staff Writer
August 11, 2022

Shorter College is a private, faith-based, liberal arts historically Black junior college located in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

Background

Shorter College was founded in 1886 as the Bethel Institute by the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The mission was to both train teachers and educate formerly enslaved individuals and the classes were held in the basement of the Bethel AME Church in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 1891 Bethel relocated to Clark County, Arkansas and just a year later the school was renamed Shorter University in honor of Bishop James A. Shorter, who in 1868 had organized the Arkansas Annual Conference of AME churches.

After Shorter was chartered in 1894, the school moved its operations to what is now North Little Rock in 1898. By 1903 Shorter University became Shorter College, at which point the school also added a new three-story building that housed classrooms, offices, a library, and a boys’ dorm. Up until 1928, Shorter College was also the only school in North Little Rock that offered high school diplomas for Black students until 1928. Additionally, the school provided a four-year curriculum until 1955 when financial struggles prompted Bishop R. Wilkes and college president at the time Theophilus D. Alexander to make Shorter a two-year college.

After receiving full accreditation in 1981, Shorter College students were able to transfer credits directly to four-year institutions. Today, Shorter College is also accredited by the Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools and the only private, two-year HBCU in the nation.

Programs & Opportunities

Shorter College is philosophy rooted in the fundamental understanding of liberal arts academic disciplines, including language, literature, philosophy, mathematics, social studies, the arts, and the abstract sciences. The school offers academic courses in the following areas: Child Development, Christian Leadership, Criminal Justice, General Studies, Entrepreneurial Studies, and Computer Science.

In addition to the associate degree opportunities, Shorter College students can take part in a variety of special programming that work to enhance spiritual, social, and moral values. Students can take part in tutoring programs, student organizations like that of Student Government, the Health and Wellness Club, the National Association of Black Men United (NABMU), Black Male Initiative (BMI), Phi Beta Lambda (PBL), and more.

Learn more about Shorter College here.

Alumni Affairs

Students at Shorter College are encouraged to become leaders who transform lives through Christ and global service within a biblical worldview.

Some notable alumni from Shorter College include, but are not limited to:

  • James Hal Cone attended Shorter College for two-year study before going on to attend Philander Smith College, and is largely known as the founder of Black liberation theology, as well as being the Bill and Judith Moyers Distinguished Professor of Systematic Theology at Union Theological Seminary.
  • Scipio A. Jones—lawyer, activist, educator, and philanthropist—attended what would become Shorter College (at the time, Bethel Institute) where he received his bachelor’s degree.
  • Daisy Gatson Bates, alumna of Shorter College, was a civil rights champion as well as mentor and advisor to the group of students who integrated Little Rock Central High School in 1957. 

Financial Information

Students taking part in educational offerings at Shorter College enjoy quality levels of education at affordable costs. Regardless of in-state or out-of-state resident classification, students share the same cost of tuition, which is $2,100 per semester for full-time students (those taking 12-15 credit hours) and $175 per credit hour for students who go below 12 credit hours or above 16 credit hours.

Financial aid like that of scholarships, grants, and loans are available to help students with the cost of fees and payment arrangements can be made available for students not eligible for Federal Financial Aid.

Conclusion

Shorter College strives to meet its mission of advancing the kingdom of God through a commitment to academic excellence, spiritual growth, Christian leadership, and global service.

Learn more about Shorter College here.

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Explore HBCU – Philander Smith College

Staff Writer
August 9, 2022

 

Philander Smith College is a private, liberal arts, historically black college located in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Background

Philander Smith College was originally founded in 1877 as Walden Seminary, the result of the first attempt west of the Mississippi River to make education available to formerly enslaved African Americans. After receiving a $10,500 donation from Adeline Smith, wife of Philander Smith, who was an avid donator to Asiatic missions with an interest in the Southern Church, the trustees voted to change the name of Walden Seminary; the institution became Philander Smith College, and a new location for the school was purchased.  The construction of Budlong Hall—the first brick building on the new site campus—was significantly contributed to by Adeline Smith’s monetary gift.

The school went on to become chartered as a four-year college in 1883, and the first baccalaureate degree was awarded five years after. In July of 1948, the site of the Little Rock Junior College was purchased and added to the South end of Philander Smith’s campus. A year later, Philander Smith received full accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Today Philander Smith College is the only United Negro College Fund member institution in Arkansas, striving to provide a quality education for all students regardless of religion, race, ethnic background, sex, gender, religion, or national origin.

Programs & Opportunities

Philander Smith College offers a wide range of disciplines that utilize innovative and integrative approaches to a liberal arts curriculum. The college offers 21 undergraduate majors across academic divisions of Arts & Humanities, Business Administration, Education & General Education, Natural & Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences. There are also continuing education and professional studies as well as dual degree programs offered at Philander.

As a United Methodist Church-affiliated college, Philander Smith works to interweave the knowledge and understanding of Christian faith into the fabric of campus culture. In order to provide opportunities for intellectual and spiritual growth for the Philander Smith College community and surrounding community, an array of Religious Life & Campus Culture activities are made available. Campus programming includes organizations such as that of the Social Justice Mission Project, student-led Religious Life Council, mentorship program Empowering The African American Male (EAAM), choral group Chosen Generation Gospel Choir, and much more.

Learn more about Philander Smith College here.

Alumni Affairs

Philander Smith College’s mission is to graduate academically accomplished students who remain grounded as individuals determined to change the world for the better. 

Some notable alumni from Philander Smith College include, but are not limited to:

  • Dorothy Phillips Smith, a teacher and educator for over 30 years, graduates from Philander Smith College with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Studies. Dorothy has served in the DuPage County Democratic Headquarters, the Voices of Praise choir from the Broadway Missionary Baptist Church, and the DePaul University Early Childhood Advisory Board Committee.
  • Dr. Morris A. Jackson was a Medical Doctor and Clinical Instructor of Family Practice, after having graduated from Philander Smith College with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree. Dr. Jackson was affiliated with the Pulaski County Medical Society, American Medical Association, American Academy of Family Practice, National Honorary Scientific Society, NAACP, Alpha Kappa Mu Honorary Society, YMCA, the Board of Trustees at Philander Smith College, and the Century Club.
  • Marva C. Worthen Watts was a Research Associate at Chicago Medical School, Assistant Professor of Biology Department at Malcolm X College, Assistant Pastor at Gospel Way Covenant Church, and the Founder and CEO Marvalous Communications. Marva graduated from Philander Smith College with a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology.

Financial Information

In order to assist students in their educational pursuits at Philander Smith College, the Office of Financial Aid works to offer students financial aid from various sources.

For students a part of the undergraduate program, tuition totals $11,804 regardless of in-state or out-of-state residency, with additional fixed fees of $1,210. The total cost of attendance may vary by student, with the addition of room and board that is on-campus, off-campus, or with a guardian.

For students a part of the Philander Smith Management Institution, tuition totals $5,382—total cost of attendance is further based on a student’s housing.

Conclusion

Philander Smith College strives to be an institution where students obtain more than an educational experience. Through leadership and service, Philander Smith College students obtain an educational experience and life skills for the world beyond the classroom. 

Learn more about Philander Smith College here.

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Explore HBCU – Arkansas Baptist College

Staff Writer
August 4, 2022

Arkansas Baptist College is a private, Baptist, liberal arts, historically black college located in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Background

Founded in 1884 by the Colored Baptists of the State of Arkansas, Arkansas Baptist College was originally named the Ministers’ Institute and opened at Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Little Rock. Most of the school’s students were trained in ministry, as the dual objective remained a commitment to academic and cultural excellence while valuing the principles of Jesus Christ. 

The college’s name was changed to Arkansas Baptist College In 1885 when the school also moved to what is now Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive. This has remained the campus’ location into the 21st century. The cornerstone to the Main Building on its campus, built in 1893, is one of the oldest surviving academic buildings in the state of Arkansas and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Arkansas Baptist College was accredited by the Higher Learning Commission in 1987, and though placed on probation by the Commission in 2014 after the school experienced several financial difficulties, has since regained full accreditation. Arkansas Baptist College is the only historically Black Baptist college west of the Mississippi River, and today boasts a student population close to one thousand from all across the United States. The college is supported by the Consolidated Missionary Baptist State Convention.

Programs & Opportunities

At Arkansas Baptist College, students are offered a variety of programs at both the associate and bachelor’s levels. Programs available at ABC span over 12 subject areas and 13 academic disciplines, for a combined total of 25 distinct degree paths in different specializations of the following: Business Administration, Christian Education, General Studies, Music Business, Public Administration, Religious Studies, Accounting, Criminal Justice, Entrepreneurship, Human Services, Music, Public Administration, Sports Management, and Urgan Community Leadership.

Additionally, at Arkansas Baptist College Student Activities play an essential role in the construction of the college experience. The goal of Student Activities is to complement academic programs, and as such, Arkansas Baptist College offers an array of student life extracurriculars. Students have the opportunity to participate in Student Government, Band, Chapel, Greek Life, Athletics, and Choir.

Learn more about Arkansas Baptist College here.

Alumni Affairs

Arkansas Baptist College works to prepare its students for a life of service rooted in scholarship, Christrian development, and social responsibility. 

Some notable alumni from Arkansas Baptist College include, but are not limited to:

  • Miles Dewey Davis, Jr., a dentist and father of jazz artist Miles Davis, graduated from Arkansas Baptist College with a Bachelor’s of Science degree.
  • Faye Treadwell, one of the first African American woman entertainment managers, graduated from Arkansas Baptist College before going to work for the Los Angeles school board and ultimately becoming the manager for The Drifters.
  • Well-renowned comedian James Lewis Jr. (known by the stage name Lil’ JJ) graduated from Arkansas Baptist College where James was also a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity.

Financial Information

At Arkansas Baptist College,  for a general course load of 12-18 credits, tuition totals to $365 per credit hour for a total of $4,380 per semester or $8,760 per academic year. Tuition per credit hour over 18 hours is $400. For students who may choose to reside on campus, housing can range between $2,369 and $2,051 for a typical 16-week semester.

The Office of Student Financial Aid at ABC works to help students meet college expenses with the administration of federal, state, and institutional aid. The Financial Aid staff works to operate in accordance with federal, state, and university guidelines, as well as those in the ABC Code of Conduct and Statement of Ethical Principles.

Conclusion

Arkansas Baptist College is an institution devoted to the intellectual, personal, spiritual, and professional growth of its students. As one of Arkansas’s most affordable institutions of higher education, ABC utilized a personalized approach for the student body with committed instructors, a sense of community, and spiritual values and principles integrated within and throughout the college structure.  

Learn more about Arkansas Baptist College here.

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Explore HBCU – Tennessee State University

Staff Writer
August 2, 2022

Tennessee State University is a public, land-grant, historically black university located in Nashville, Tennessee.

Background

After the Tennessee State General Assembly moved to form three normal schools in 1909, Tennessee State University was founded in 1912 as the Agricultural and Industrial Normal School. Ten years later, the Agricultural and Industrial Normal School was granted the capacity to grant bachelor’s degrees in 1922, evolving to become a four-year teachers’ college. By 1924, the school’s name changed to reflect the change, and became the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal College; the “Normal” was removed from the school name in 1927, and by 1941, the school was authorized to offer graduate studies that resulted in master’s degrees. 

The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools granted the institution accreditation in 1946, just a few years before the Tennessee State Board of Education approved university status for the school. With the name Tennessee Agricultural & Industrial State University, the institution received full land-grant university status, with additions that included the School of Agriculture & Home Economics, the Graduate School, the Division of Extension and Continuing Education, and the Department of Aerospace Studies.

Ten years later, the state legislature would officially change the name of the school to Tennessee State University. Then, in 1979, TSU would merge with what was originally the University of Tennessee at Nashville due to a court ruling intended to combat dual systems of higher education in Tennessee based on race.

Today, Tennessee State University is a two-location campus, with a 500-acre main campus located in a residential neighborhood along the Cumberland River, and a downtown Avon Williams campus that lies near Nashville’s business and government district. The university is recognized worldwide for its excellence, having engaged in the Tennessee Campus Compact, received national awards for community service and engagement, received millions for Race to the Top Funds by Barack Obama, obtaining Community Engagement Classification by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and remaining a pillar of support in the community.

Programs & Opportunities

Tennessee State University is a comprehensive institution with an extensive offering of degree programs. Through the college and schools of Agriculture, Business, Education, Engineering, Graduate & Professional Studies, Health Sciences, Liberal Arts, Life and Physical Sciences, Public Service as well as Online Degree Programs, TSU is able to offer nearly 150 individualized and traditional degree pathways for undergraduate and graduate students.

In order to create a holistic approach to education, Tennessee State also offers an array of social, professional, and civic clubs for students. Through student activities, student services, community engagement, and music & art opportunities, the Tennessee State student body shares time and talents as well as connect with other fellow Tennessee tigers.

Learn more about Tennessee State University here.

Alumni Affairs

Tennessee State University strives to inspire students to innovatively transform the environments they inhibit.  

Some notable alumni from Tennessee State University include, but are not limited to:

  • Media mogul Oprah Winfrey majored in Speech Communications and Performing Arts at Tennesse State University before graduating in 1986.
  • Chemist Dr. Solomon Wesbrook—recognized as an expert in the development of polymers (plastics), stabilizers, desensitizers and phlegmatizersearned—both a Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science from TSU.
  • Dr. Edith Peterson-Mitchell is a clinical professor of Medicine and Medical Oncology and graduated from Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry.

Financial Information

The Office of Financial Aid at Tennessee State University works to properly inform students and guardians about the various types of financial aid available to assist with securing the necessary financial resources to help students reach their educational goals. 

For undergraduate students, in-state tuition totals to $358 per credit hour compared to an $888 cost per credit hour for out-of-state tuition. For graduate students, in-state tuition totals to $533 per credit hour compared to an out-of-state tuition of $1,115 per credit hour.

Tennessee State offers federal, state, institutional and private sources of aid in accordance with federal and state laws.

Conclusion

At Tennessee State University, the vision remains to be one of aspiration for national and international prominence. With a rich legacy and heritage, Tennessee State University prepares leaders for a global society.

Learn more about Tennesse State University here.

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Explore HBCU – Coppin State University

Staff Writer
July 28, 2022

Coppin State University is a public historically black university located in Baltimore, Maryland.

Background

Coppin was founded in 1900 after the Baltimore City Board of Education began a one-year course for the training of African-American elementary school teachers at the Colored High and Training School (later renamed Frederick Douglass High School in 1925). Classes began in January of 1901, and by 1902 the program expanded to include a two-year Normal Department—dedicated to the establishment of norms and standards for the training of teachers. Seven years later, the department was separated from the high school and moved to its own building at Saratoga and Mount Streets. This facility would come to be renamed the Fanny Jackson Coppin Normal School, in honor of Fanny Jackson Coppin, a pioneering figure in teacher education who was born into slavery.

By 1938, the Normal School became Coppin Teachers College, the curriculum was lengthened to four years, and the Bachelor of Science degree was able to be granted. Coppin would go on to become part of the higher education system of Maryland and subsequently renamed Coppin State Teachers College, before moving to its current 38-acre campus.

Approximately 10 years later, Coppin’s Board of Trustees ruled to expand the institution’s degree-granting authority to more than teacher education; this allowed for the conferring of Bachelor of Arts degrees and the name change to Coppin State College. Additionally, Coppin also took over Rosemont Elementary School in 1998 and is the first and only institution of higher education in Maryland to manage a public school. 

Now, and in the subsequent years to follow, Coppin State University continues to bring the dreams of its students to completion. 

Programs & Opportunities

Coppin State University is organized into the School of Graduate Studies, and five colleges: the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education, the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Health Professions, and the School of Honors.

With 750 plus courses, over 50 areas of study, and a 13:1 student-faculty ratio, Coppin State challenges students to achieve and excel. Students graduate with skills that translate across jobs, industries, and markets. In addition, a robust campus community gives students access to state-of-the-art facilities, student activities, clubs and organizations, and campus leadership opportunities.

Learn more about Coppin State University here.

Alumni Affairs

At Coppin State, thousands of alumni go on to make tremendous impact in the state of Maryland and beyond, in various fields, and particularly in Human Services.

Some Coppin State University notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

  • Verda Welcome—Maryland state senator, teacher, and civil rights activist—graduated from Coppin State with a bachelor’s degree in history.
  • Stephanie Ready—broadcaster for the NBA as well as the first female coach of a men’s professional league team—graduated from Coppin State University cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
  • Bishop L. Robinson—first African American police commissioner of Baltimore, Maryland—earned a master’s degree in education from Coppin State but chose to enter law enforcement.
  • Raheem DeVaughn—BET award winner, Grammy-nominated artist, singer, and songwriter—is reported to have had an epiphany early in his college career at Coppin State University when he saw a group of street corner singers that turned his focus to becoming a professional singer.

Financial Information

Coppin’s Office of Financial Aid is the university resource for all questions about paying for school. The office focuses on helping students, parents, and families through federal and state financial aid processes, as well as providing a wealth of information on private funding opportunities.

Depending on student resident and class classification status, cost of attendance may differ. For undergraduate Maryland residents, cost of attendance can equal an estimated $25,088 for students living on campus, $26,232 for students living off campus, $21,188 for students commuting or living with a guardian; tuition is $4,740 per academic year. For undergraduate non-Maryland residents, cost of attendance can total to an estimated $31,614 for students living on campus, $32,758 for students living off campus, and $27,718 for students commuter students or those living with guardians; tuition is $11,266 per academic year.

For graduate students, tuition for an academic year total to $6,318 for Maryland residents and $11,624f or non-Maryland residents. For doctoral students, Maryland resident tuition totals to $12,576 for an academic year while non-resident tuition totals to $19,336.

Conclusion

Coppin State University has a culturally rich history as an institution dedicated to providing quality educational programs and outreach services for the community. A fully-accredited institution, Coppin serves Baltimore residents and students from all around the world. 

Learn more about Coppin State University here. 

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Explore HBCU – Clinton College

Staff Writer
July 21, 2022

Clinton College is a historically black, public, Christian college located in Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Background

Established by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church during the Reconstruction period, Clinton College was one of the many schools established to help eradicate illiteracy among freedmen. Founded in 1894 as the Clinton Institute after Bishop Caleb Isom Clinton, who was the Palmetto Conference presiding bishop, the school was later incorporated as Clinton Normal and Industrial Institute in 1909 after receiving authorization to grant state teacher certificates.

In the postwar era, the school continued to expand and by the late 1940s, the college had garnered over 220 students per year with a 19-acre campus home to equipment valued at over several million dollars. The school charter was subsequently amended to create Clinton Junior College, allowing for the conferring of associate degrees by 1965. By 2013, the Transnational Association for Christian Colleges and Schools (TRACS) approved the college to offer two four-year programs—a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Students and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration—which prompted another name change, the school now becoming Clinton College.

Today, Clinton College is an institution with a rich, over 120-year tradition of being an academic environment that promotes intellectual growth, and also fosters a community of positive moral, ethical, and spiritual values. 

Programs & Opportunities

Academic programs at Clinton College facilitate and assess students’ learning in alignment with the school’s mission to create an inclusive, holistic academic community committed to educational achievement and excellence. 

Through the Divisions of Religious and Ministry Studies, Education, Liberal Arts, Business and Leadership, and Science and Technology, students can pursue a variety of Associate and Baccalaureate degree pathways with Major and Minor Specialities. 

Students are also encouraged to participate in all aspects of student activities such as Student Government, Alpha Beta Gamma Society, Rotaract Club, Student Activity Council, Student Food Council, NAACP-Clinton, and much more.

Learn more about Clinton College’s offerings here.

Alumni Affairs

From its conception, Clinton College has sought to “design and implement educational programs that will help all students lead moral, spiritual, and productive lives.” Clinton students are encouraged to be leaders and model citizens in a global society.

Some notable alumni include, but are not limited to: 

  • Cory Brockett, Broadcast Media Professional and Lead Specialist at Nielsen Media Research, attended Clinton to obtain an Associate of Arts Degree in Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies before attending a four-year institution to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication/Media Studies.
  • Jennell Gillis, Educator of Family & Consumer Sciences as well as Owner of Gillis Creations, attended Clinton to obtain an Associates’s degree in Liberal Studies before going to a 4-year institution to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Family and Consumer Sciences.
  • Rechelle Jackson, avid volunteer worker and former Crew Chief for American Airlines, earned an associate’s degree from Clinton before transferring to a 4-year institution to obtain a bachelor’s degree in Human Services.

Financial Information

At Clinton College, tuition is $9,920 per academic year. For on-campus full-time students, cost of attendance can total to $19,900 with the addition of enrollment deposit, room & board, housing deposit, and academic resources. For off-campus, full-time students, cost of attendance can total to $10,200 with the additional fees of enrollment deposit and academic resources.

At Clinton College, there are many sources of financial aid such as Veterans benefits and institutional scholarships offered through the Financial Aid Office, in addition to non-institutional scholarships, grants, and loans. Clinton College also participates in several Federal Student Financial Aid Programs, including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Federal Work-Study Program, and Federal Stafford Loan.

Conclusion

Clinton College is committed to facilitating students’ academic achievement and moral and spiritual growth. With a liberal arts agenda as its primary focus, Clinton works to utilize an educational system that is holistic and inquiry based in nature.

Learn more about Clinton College here.

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Explore HBCU – Meharry Medical College

Staff Writer
July 14, 2022

Meharry Medical College is a historically black, United Methodist church-affiliated, medical school in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Background

One of the nation’s oldest and largest historically black academic health science centers, Meharry Medical College was founded in 1876 as the first medical school in the South for African Americans. The school was established by the Methodist Episcopal Church and the Freedman’s Aid Society after Samuel Meharry—a Scots-Irish immigrant salt trader—donated $15,000 in honor of a family that had been enslaved, who helped him.

Originally functioning as the Medical Department of Central Tennessee College in Nashville, Meharry had its first graduate in 1877 followed by three more in 1878. Meharry’s Dental Department was founded in 1886, followed by the Pharmacy Department in 1889. By 1915, Meharry received a state charter that allowed the institution to become independent and throughout the first half of the 20th Century, Meharry continued to grow steadily. 

Today, Meharry Medical College consists of a medical school, dental school, graduate school, and applied computational sciences school. Additionally, The Center for Health Policy at Meharry Medical College is home to leadership in health policy education, training, and research to doctoral, medical, dental, and graduate studies.  Meharry is the largest medical college in the nation dedicated to primarily educating black healthcare professionals, all within a private not-for-profit, independent institution. 

Programs & Opportunities

At Meharry, primary fields of study typically include Medicine (MD), Dentistry (DDS, DMD), Public Health (MPH, DPH), and Biological and Biomedical Sciences.

Students can pursue study pathways that result in the following 13 degrees: Master of Science in Public Health, Master’s in Physician Assistant Sciences, Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (Patient-Oriented Research), Master of Science in Clinical Investigation (Epidemiology/Health Service Research), Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (Physiology), Master of Health Science, Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (Neuroscience), Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (Pharmacology), Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (Biochemistry and Cancer Biology), Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences (Microbiology and Immunology), Certificate in Health Policy, Doctor of Dental Surgery, and Doctor of Medicine.

Additionally, Meharry’s Center of Excellence works to address the need to increase the Black physical workforce, all while recruiting African American faculty academically involved in innovative medical training.

Learn more about Meharry Medical College here.

Alumni Affairs

At Meharry, more than 60% of graduates enter the primary care field and more than 76% go on to practice in underserved communities. Meharry works to empower diverse populations to improve the well-being of all humankind.

Some Meharry Medical College notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

  • Dorothy Lavinia Brown—legislator, educator, and first Black woman surgeon in the South—graduated from Meharry Medical College.
  • Dr. Audrey F. Manley—former Assistant Surgeon General, chief resident at Cook Country Children’s Hospital in Chicago, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Health, president of Spelman college—graduated from Meharry Medical College.
  • Dr. Carl Bell—psychiatrist, international researcher, author, and professor of psychiatry—received his M.D. degree from Meharry Medical College.
  • Dr. Charles H. Wright—Detroit physician and founder of the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History—obtained his MD from Meharry Medical College.

Financial Information

At Meharry Medical College, the Office of Student Financial Aid provides pertinent information on graduate and professional school funding to help students attain educational goals. Depending upon school and path of study, students studying as part of the School of Medicine, Dentistry, Computational Sciences, Ph.D. Program, MPH Program, or MHS Program can expect tuition rates upwards of $50,000 while in school, and upwards of $20,000 in the post senior months. The total cost of attendance will differ with additional fees, books & supplies, room & board, transportation, personal expense, and usage of financial aid.

Conclusion

Meharry Medical College is an academic health science center of global excellence, working to advance health equity through innovative and transformative research, health service, and policy-influencing educational design.  

Learn more about Meharry Medical College here.

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Explore HBCU – LeMoyne-Owen College

Staff Writer
July 7, 2022

LeMoyne-Owen College is a private, United Church of Christ, historically black college located in Memphis, Tennessee. 

Background

After the occupation of Memphis during the Civil War, the American Missionary Association sent Ms. Lucinda Humphrey to Camp Shiloh to open an elementary school for freedmen and runaway slaves in 1862. The school was originally named Lincoln Chapel, and after being moved to Memphis in 1863 and then subsequently destroyed in the race riots in 1866, it was re-erected in 1867. The Lincoln Chapel school was replaced by the LeMoyne Normal and Commercial School in 1871 and the school was moved to its present location on Walker Avenue in 1914.

After the Tennessee Baptist Missionary and Educational Convention bought property on Vance Avenue to build a junior college, Owen College was founded. The school opened to 33 students as S.A. Owen Junior College in 1954, securing accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools; the school offered two-year associate degrees in general education, business, home economics, and religious education along with becoming largely involved in Memphis’ civil rights movement. Both schools were reportedly in talks about a potential merger, and in 1968—after Owen College faced financial challenges as well as a fire that resulted in $500,000 in damage—the two institutions merged. 

LeMoyne-Owen College is now Memphis’ only historically black college, intent to be an exemplary college that provides an excellent liberal arts education capable of transforming students, institutions, and communities.

Programs & Opportunities

At LeMoyne-Owen College, there are five academic divisions that offer undergraduate majors in 22 areas of study. Students can pursue degree pathways that lead to the attainment of the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, or the Bachelor of Business Administration degrees. In addition to the Bachelor’s degree offerings, LeMoyne-Owen also offers an Associates of Arts and Associates of Science in General Studies.

Additionally, LeMoyne Owen students are encouraged to engage in campus life activities as a way to receive a full college experience. Students are welcome to join one of the many organizations located on campus such as the Student Government Association, Academic Organizations, Honor Societies, or Greek Lettered Organizations, which are all intended to build an array of skills and habits not taught inside the classroom.

Learn more about what LeMoyne-Owen College has to offer here.

Alumni Affairs

LeMoyne-Owen College works to provide a transformative educational experience for modern scholarship, leadership, and professional careers. 

Some LeMoyne-Owen College notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

  • Marion Barry—politician, civil rights activist, and former mayor of Washington, DC—attended LeMoyne Owen College where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.
  • Dr. Larry Robinson—chemist and current president and distinguished professor and researcher at Florida A&M University (FAMU)—attended LeMoyne-Owen College.
  • Benjamin Hooks—former executive director of the NAACP, attorney, and government official—originally enrolled pre-law at LeMoyne before joining the army to serve in the Second World War.

Financial Information

At LeMoyne-Owen, tuition is $5,388 per semester and $10,776 per academic year for students with full-time enrollment status (12-18 credit hours). Additional fees include that of Audit fees ($449 per course), Student Activity Fee ($100 per semester), Student Technology Fee ($400 per semester), Student Health Care Fee ($150 per semester), and more. 

The Office of Student Financial Services at LeMoyne-Owen aims to make it possible for any qualified student to attend LeMoyne-Owen. The college administers several federal and state aid programs, such as federal pell grants, federal supplemental educational opportunity grants, federal college work-study, William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans (subsidized, unsubsidized and PLUS), Tennessee Student Assistance Grants, ROTC scholarship programs (through the University of Memphis), and the Veterans Educational Benefits.

Conclusion

LeMoyne-Owen College is an institution that has stood the test of time and served as a constant source of inspiration for students and members of the greater Memphis community. LeMoyne-Owen plans to continue its legacy and mission of education and developing leaders.

Learn more about LeMoyne-Owen College here.

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Explore HBCU – Lane College

Staff Writer
June 30, 2022

Lane College is a private, Christian Methodist Episcopal, historically black college in Jackson, Tennessee.

Background

In 1882, the Colored Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church—now known as the Christian Methodist Episcopal (CME) Church—founded what would be called the CME High School. After the appointment of Bishop Isaac Lane who presided over the Tennessee Conference in 1879, Bishop Lane met with the CME denomination’s Tennessee Annual Conference committee to help formulate the school. Bishop Lane also purchased the first four acres of land to be used for the new school, located in the eastern part of Jackson, Tennessee.

The CME High School began its first school session on November 12, 1882, before the school’s name changed to the Lane Institute in 1884 to acknowledge Bishop Lane’s work in establishing the school. Twelve years later, the college department of Lane would be established in 1896, with the Board of Trustees voting to change the name from Lane Institute to Lane College. Lane was approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools (SACS), as well as full membership admittance to SACS by December of 1961. 

Since then, Lane College has undergone a series of construction projects, significant growth in enrollment, an increase in faculty strength, expanded curricula, and greater financial stability that lends to Lane’s ability to promote student success.

Programs & Opportunities

At Lane College, students are provided with comprehensive, accessible, quality, learning-centered educational opportunities. Lane Colleges boasts a series of three separate colleges with degree offerings of 2-year associate degrees, 4-year bachelor’s degrees, and a variety of career credentials. There is a School of Business, Social and Behavioral Science that offers degree pathways in Business, Criminal Justice, History, and Sociology; a School of Liberal Studies and Education that offers degree pathways in English, French, Mass Communication, Religion, Music, Physical Education, Interdisciplinary Studies, Spanish, Art, and Teacher Education; and a School of Natural and Physical Science that offers degree pathways in Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics.

Additionally, recognizing that the undergraduate experience is not only restricted to the classroom, Lane offers numerous student activities that allow students the opportunity to participate in social, cultural, recreational, and athletic activities.

Learn more about the programming opportunities offered at Lane College here.

Alumni Affairs

At Lane College, there is no belief in being over-prepared—so graduates are career-ready and well-equipped for the future. Whether studying abroad, a transfer student, a veteran, or a dependent of a veteran, students alike are encouraged to think more, better, and faster than ever dreamed of before. 

Some Lane College notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

  • Donald L. Hollowell—attorney and Civil Rights Activist—attended Lane College where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude.
  • Fatima Massaquoi—writer and academic—attended Lane College where she graduated with a degree in sociology before returning home to Liberia where she made significant contributions to the cultural and social life.
  • Jacoby Jones—college football coach and former professional football player—attended Lane College where he became a four-time All-Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC) player in his freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.
  • Chuck Rainey—musician and popular bass guitarist who worked with figures like Aretha Franklin,  Louis Armstrong, Marvin Gaye, and many more—attended Lane College for a period of time beginning in 1959. 

Financial Information

With the assistance of professional financial aid counselors who are trained to meet the financial aid needs of students, Lane College works to provide options and resources needed for proper investment in education. 

For residential students, tuition for full-time undergraduates taking 12-16 credit hours is $4,635 for one semester, totaling to $9,270 for one academic school-year. In addition to textbook, matriculation, technology, student activity, housing, meal plan, and health service fees, total cost of attendance is an estimated $9,700 per semester and $19,400 for an academic school year. For non-residential students taking a full-time 12-16 credit hour semester, while cost of tuition is the same $4,635, total cost of attendance is an estimated $6,245 per semester, or $12,490 for an academic year.

Conclusion

Lane College has been a source of inspiration for countless students, youth and adults alike throughout its tenure. Today, Lane College stands as a pillar of Christian education for people of all faiths and backgrounds, with the vision to transform lives through learning at the forefront of its mission.

Learn more about Lane College here.

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Explore HBCU – Fisk University

Staff Writer
June 23, 2022

Fisk University is a private, historically black university in Nashville, Tennessee.

Background

On January 9, 1866 shortly after the end of the Civil War, the Fisk Free Colored School opened to further the education of freedmen in Nashville, Tennessee. The school was established by John Ogden, the Reverend Erastus Milo Cravath, and the Reverend Edward P. Smith of the American Missionary Association and named in honor of General B. Fisk of the Tennessee Freedmen’s Bureau. General Fisk provided the new institution with facilities in former Union Army barracks, which also served as the location for the school’s first classes.

Over a year later on August 22, 1867, the school would become Fisk University as its mission changed from primary to higher education. By 1871, however, decay of school property and increasing enrollment created an urgent need for a larger campus. Urged by the possibility of school closure, the nine-member student choir (notably known as the Fisk Jubilee Singers) went on a fund-raising concert throughout the United States and Europe that raised approximately fifty thousand dollars for the school.

The school’s continued expansion through building programs and a curriculum that grew to include liberat arts, theology, advanced training for teachers, and a secondary school, all helped to enhance the university’s reputation. Fisk became the first African-American institution to gain accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools in 1930, and continues on with its prolific academic prowess as it is currently ranked #9 of all historically black colleges and universities according to U.S. News and World Report.

Programs & Opportunities

A Fisk education prioritizes the preparation of students to become beacons of service in the community and industry, as well as well-rounded leaders and scholars in their fields. In order to do so, Fisk offers its students an exceptional dynamic learning environment, access to professionally renowned faculty, and enriched student life programs.

There are over 20 degree pathways offered by Fisk spanning the School of Humanities & Behavioral Social Sciences (Arts & Languages, Behavioral Sciences, History & Political Science, and Elected Science); the School of Natural Sciences, Mathematics & Business (Life & Physical Sciences, Math & Computer Science, Data Science and Bioinformatics, Business Administration and Education); and the School of Graduate Studies (which offers Master’s degrees in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Clinical Psychology). There are additionally over 30 student groups and organizations on campus, including the Jubilee Singers.

Learn more about what Fisk University has to offer here.

Alumni Affairs

Fisk University seeks to produce graduates from diverse backgrounds who exemplify integrity and intellect in the mission to make positive contributions to society.

Some Fisk University notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

  • John Hope Franklin—historian, teacher, and author—received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Fisk University in History.
  • Dr. Etta Zuber Falconer—mathematician and educator—graduated from Fisk University with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. 
  • Alonzo Fulgham—former acting chief and operating officer of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)—graduated from Fisk University with a bachelor’s degree in business and economics.
  • Nikki Giovanni—award-winning poet, author, and civil rights activist—received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Fisk University in History.

Financial Information

For undergraduate students at Fisk, reported full-time tuition (12-18 credit hours) for an academic semester is $10,464, with tuition rates for a full-academic year totaling $20,928. For students taking more or less than a full-time tuition schedule, per hour rates for a class equal $871 per credit hour. 

For graduate students at Fisk, full-time tuition (9-15 credit hours) for an academic semester is $10,619, with tuition rates for a full-academic year totaling $21,238. For students taking more or less than a full-time tuition schedule, per hour rates for a class equal $1,180 per credit hour. While recurring fees equal $989 and technology access fees equal $362 per semester for all students regardless of classification, other fees such as housing, food, and transportation will determine students’ differing costs of attendance.

Fisk University works hard to ensure educational access by keeping net costs lower than peer institutions, with a net average annual cost to students after institutional financial aid of $19,000. Resources to assist with financial assistance are available in the form of federal aid programs, federal work-study, institutional financial aid forms, loans, scholarships, and grants.

Conclusion

At Fisk University, excellence remains among the university’s top motivations. Fisk seeks to provide schooling measured against the standard of American education at its finest, all while keeping the historic mission to train its students for service to humanity at the forefront of its commitment.

Learn more about Fisk University here.

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Explore HBCU – American Baptist College

Staff Writer
June 16, 2022

American Baptist College is a private, historically black Baptist college located in Nashville, Tennessee. 

Background

American Baptist College has been a Christian college since its opening in 1924. The school was founded after a conversation between national Baptist leaders and Dr. O.L. Hailey nearly 10 years prior sparked the creation of a Southern Baptist Convention committee, which was devoted to the establishment of a seminary for the education of its ministers. 

By 1937, the union between the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Baptist Convention created a unique opportunity for the preparation of students and broader church leaders to meet the challenges presented during the Civil Rights movement. Through the provision of scholarships and financial support within the operation of the American Baptist College, the Southern Baptist Convention significantly contributed to the education of men and women for Christian service. The Southern Baptist Convention continued to support the institution until the decision to turn over assets to the Board of Trustees of American Baptist College in 1996. 

At present, American Baptist College continues in the tradition of a guiding scripture that aims “to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly before God.” With a liberal arts emphasis, American Baptist College seeks to educate, graduate, and prepare diverse students for Christian leadership, service, and social justice in the world.

Programs & Opportunities

At American Baptist College, a targeted curriculum designed with the intent to advance students as moral leaders stretches across associate and baccalaureate degree offerings. Students have the chance to earn Associate of Arts Degrees on a general studies or music and arts track, as well as Bachelor of Arts Degrees on a Behavior Studies (addiction studies, child welfare, or mental health), Bible & Theology, or Entrepreneurial Leadership track.

Learn more about American Baptist College’s offerings and opportunities here.

Alumni Affairs

At American Baptist College, a large focus is placed on the training of students to become agents of positive change and advocates for social justice in their careers and in the world. 

Some notable alumni include, but are not limited to:

  • Robert K. Hoggard—philanthropic advisor, educator, & strategist—earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology with a special focus on Community & Non-Profit Leadership from American Baptist College.
  • Althera Brown—Education Management Professional—earned a Bachelor of Arts in Theology/Theological Studies from American Baptist College. 
  • David Augustin Hodge—Associate Director of Education and Associate Professor at the National Center for Bioethics in Research and Healthcare at Tuskegee University—earned a Bachelor of Arts in Bible, Theology, and English at American Baptist College.

Financial Information

At American Baptist College, while additional fees and expenses differ based on student circumstance, credit hours up to and including 11 credit hours in a given term are $500 per hour. Alternatively, credit hours for 12 or more credit hours in a given term are $465 per hour. 

For students unable to meet the total cost of admittance or who demonstrate financial need, assistance through the American Baptist College Financial Aid Office is available with aid available in the form of federal, state, and institutional loans, grants, scholarships, and work study programs.

Conclusion

American Baptist College is a historically black college with a focus that stands at the intersection of Christian leadership, service, and social justice. At ABC, students are educated to become leaders in the professions of their choosing, instilled with the passion to advance God’s mission of justice, compassion, and reconciliation.

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Explore HBCU – Tougaloo College

Staff Writer
June 9, 2022

Tougaloo College is a private, coeducational, historically black liberal arts college in Jackson, Mississippi. 

Background

In 1869, the American Missionary Association of New York purchased five hundred acres of land to establish a school for the training of young people “irrespective of religious tenets and conducted on the most liberal principles for the benefit of our citizens in general.”

The Mississippi State Legislature granted the institution a charter, and Tougaloo University was established in 1871. The institution functioned as a teacher training school until 1892, at which point the college no longer received financial support from the state. Courses for college credit began to be offered first in 1897, and by 1916 Tougaloo University’s name was changed to Tougaloo College. 

In 1954, Tougaloo College merged with Southern Christian Institute (SCI) in Edward, Mississippi—due to the determination that both schools shared similar missions and goals—to become a new institution named Tougaloo Southern Christian College. In 1962, the college’s Board of Trustees voted to revert the name to Tougaloo College. Tougaloo remained at the forefront of the Civil Rights Movement in 1960s Mississippi, serving as a safe haven for those who fought for equality and justice. In addition to its strong commitment to social responsibility, Tougaloo College continues its mission to create an environment of academic excellence.

Today, Tougaloo College sits on the northern edge of Jackson, Mississippi, where the institution sits at the intersection of rich legacy and accessible undergraduate and graduate programming and opportunity. 

Programs & Opportunities

Tougaloo College offers 29 majors spanning the four academic schools of education, humanities, natural science, and social science, with six degree pathways that allow students to add or modify course emphases such as Accounting, Business Administration, Community Health, Computer Science, Health Education, Journalism, Recreation for Special Populations and Social Work. Within the School of Education, students can obtain associate, bachelor, and master’s degrees. 

At Tougaloo College, in order to aid in the advancement of a fully-rounded education, students are also encouraged to participate in student life activities that promote leadership development, political & social awareness, holistic health, inclusive empowerment, and spirit and flair.  

Learn more about Tougaloo College’s programming here.

Alumni Affairs

At Tougaloo College, faculty and administrators hope to challenge students to become leaders who will create change and be prepared to take advantage of opportunities available through the global economy.

Some notable alumni of Tougaloo College include, but are not limited to:

  • Joyce Ladner, PhD—sociologist, civil rights activist, author, former interim president of Howard University—earned her bachelor’s degree in sociology from Tougaloo College.
  • Dr. Hakeem M. Oluseyi, PhD—astrophysicist, author, educator, inventor—attended Tougaloo College where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Physics and Mathematics.
  • Aaron Shirley, MD—physician, founder of Jackson Medical Mall, and MacArthur award recipient—completed his undergraduate degree at Tougaloo College. 
  • Karen Williams Weaver, PhD—psychologist and politician who serves as mayor of Flint, Michigan—earned a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Sociology from Tougaloo College.

Financial Information

At Tougaloo College, tuition rates are $455 per credit hour for undergraduate traditional students and $318 per credit hour for non-traditional students. For graduate students, tuition rates for per-hour credits are $591. Tougaloo College’s Office of Student Financial Aid is committed to assisting students and their families in obtaining financial support and resources to achieve educational goals.

Conclusion

Tougaloo College’s mission statement is steeped in being an institution that prepares its students to become lifelong learners who are committed to leadership and service through its diverse range of programs. 

Learn more about Tougaloo College here.

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