Diverse Conversations: How Black Colleges Can Win Against Tough Competition

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) came into existence in vastly different times, when they were absolutely necessary for Black students to attend college. Today, they have to be savvy if they want to stick around. Let’s take a look at the shift HBCUs are making to become prominent in today’s integrated culture.

There are many different business models out there, but, in general, some serve the mass market and some appeal to niches. When it comes to today’s colleges, it’s easy to see PWIs (or predominantly White institutions) as “mass market” and HBCUs as “niche” schools.

HBCUs have also had long histories, were created to give a healthy university experience to specific populations of students, and are facing closures today as more and more students choose to attend mainstream colleges.

The question stands. How will HBCUs compete against PWIs that now accept and actively recruit minority students and have more resources to serve them? In order to stick around, HBCUs need to find solutions.

We’re seeing a lot of these solutions in action today. Here is how they are handling situations where the deck is stacked against them.

Filling a need

Actor Nate Parker, best known for his work in the movies Red Tails, The Great Debaters, and The Birth of a Nation, has started a new film school at Wiley College, an HBCU.