What are the benefits of going to a HBCU as an African American first generation student?

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What are the benefits of going to a HBCU as an African American first generation student? In 1856, the first historical black college and university (HBCUs) was built. HBCUs started to open up to help encourage more African Americans to attend college. When it comes to choosing a college, students must factor in their values and beliefs. Many HBCUs administration and faculties enjoy helping students who have low income or even if they are first generation college students. They also help students who are dealing with stress or anxiety because having good mental health is very important. The HBCUs community has always created a safe place for their students. HBCUs are predominantly Black but they are open to every student. 

Many first generation students and low income students who attend a HBCU struggle to fit in. This is one of the many barriers they must face in order to pursue an educational degree at a college or university. Williams wrote many articles about her experiences at a HBCU. In one of her articles, she spoke about how “Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) faculty and administrators employed to create inclusive and supportive environments for populations often marginalized in US higher education—especially low-income and first-generation college students” (William). William is explaining that most HBCUs are often seen as an isolation compared to other colleges or universities. Many faculty and administrators want first generation college students and those who have low income to settle in a new environment that feels included and nurturing. HBCUs goal is to support those who are struggling to belong there as well as financially. By building a safe place for first generation students and low income students, they have a better success rate. 

Another factor that plays into an African American college student’s success is having good mental health. Studies have shown that many students who attend a college or university will be overwhelmed at some point in their journey. Stress is a common symptom of having anxiety. It is normal for students to have stress, but stress won’t be healthy for the long run. Wilkinson wrote a journal called The Association of Unmet Social and Emotional Support Needs with Race/Ethnicity among College Students in the United States which talks about a student’s mental health. He talked about how his recent research “shows anxiety and depression to be the most prevalent forms of mental health concerns amongst college students followed by suicide, eating disorders, and substance abuse” (Wilkinson). Wilkinson is illustrating how having a bad mental health can impact a student’s life. Rice and ethnicity also plays a big role because many people often judge someone by their looks which can destroy their mental health. Another factory that could have played into a student’s mental health is workload or environment. At HBCU, faculty and administrators want to prevent this from happening to their students. They offer many open sessions with students who are dealing with anxiety or depression alone. Having symptoms such as depression, stress, or anxiety can lead to a bad diet, suicidal thoughts, or even drugs. This means by providing students with the help they need, it could be another reason to help them get closer to success. 

Most first generation college students who have good mental health tend to graduate at a higher percentage rate. Even with financial issues throughout their college career, they have managed to graduate college with a degree. Now, not all first generation college students graduate. Strayhorn wrote an article analyzing college students and their graduation rate depending on their colleges or universities. According to Strayhorn, “Similar to what happens at predominantly White institutions (PWIs), not all students who enter HBCUs complete their degree” (Strayhorn). Strayhorn is demonstrating that every college student has different struggles whether that be fitting in, having a hard time comprehending, or outside issues. HBCUs offer many opportunities for college students to help them become successful in their own ways. They have created many programs to keep their students engaged in their field. HBCUs want all their students to graduate.

The first step into being closer to graduating is by getting involved with their community. When a student is feeling comfortable and safe in an environment, it is telling faculty and administrators that they are doing an excellent job. Taylor and William both worked on an article together called Critical Sensemaking: A Framework for Interrogation, Reflection, and Coalition Building toward More Inclusive College Environments. They spoke about their own experiences about the environment at a HBCU. Taylor mentions “given the oppressive nature of higher education environments, educators must support students in making sense of their experiences” (Taylor and William). Taylor and William are explaining that most professors at HBCU support their students from school work to recommendations for programs or clubs. Students are also encouraged to go to football games or events as a way to support their HBCUs. Many faculty and administrators including academic advisors want every student at HBCU to feel inclusive. 

HBCUs are predominantly Black institutions who inspire others to be great one day. They challenge their students everyday to put them up for success. Williams has been at a HBCU for more than a decade. She has been working on an article that talks about the experiences of black communities to help promote black students’ success. She talked about “HBCU administrators and faculty members build upon the lived experiences of Black communities to help to promote Black students’ success” (William). One of the most important goals HBCU stands for is to protect Black students’ success. HBCU was open for this reason because not many African Americans were attending college. Their goal is to give African American an equal opportunity as everyone else.

HBCUs are a great choice of college or university. This will definitely benefit many college students especially for those who are first generation, African Americans, or come from a low income family. Many faculty and administrators want all their students to participate or get involved with their community. They also offer many programs and clubs to help students get real world experiences or to even help them with their health. By maintaining good health as well as school work, many students that attended HBCUs will become very successful in the future.

 

Citation Page

  • Williams, Krystal L., et al. “Meeting at the Margins: Culturally Affirming Practices at HBCUs for Underserved Populations.” Higher Education (00181560), vol. 84, no. 5, Nov. 2022, pp. 1067–87. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10734-022-00816-w. Article.
  • Wilkinson, Larrell, et al. “The Association of Unmet Social and Emotional Support Needs with Race/Ethnicity among College Students in the United States.” College Student Journal, vol. 56, no. 3, Sept. 2022, pp. 238–58. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=s3h&AN=159963677&site=eds-live&scope=site. Journal.
  • Strayhorn, Terrell L. “Analyzing the Short-Term Impact of a Brief Web-Based Intervention on First-Year Students’ Sense of Belonging at an HBCU: A Quasi-Experimental Study.” Innovative Higher Education, vol. 48, no. 1, Feb. 2023, pp. 1–13. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-021-09559-5. Article.
  • Taylor, Leonard D., and Krystal L. Williams. “Critical Sensemaking: A Framework for Interrogation, Reflection, and Coalition Building toward More Inclusive College Environments.” Education Sciences, vol. 12, no. 12, Dec. 2022, p. 877. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci12120877. Article. 
  • Williams, Krystal L., et al. “Centering Blackness: An Examination of Culturally-Affirming Pedagogy and Practices Enacted by HBCU Administrators and Faculty Members.” Innovative Higher Education, vol. 46, no. 6, Dec. 2021, pp. 733–57. EBSCOhost, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10755-021-09562-w. Article.
  • MARC MORIAL. “HBCUs Needed More than Ever; Black Colleges Provide Leadership and Opportunities.” Charlotte Post, The (NC), 4 June 2009. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&AuthType=ip,shib&db=edsnbk&AN=128B06396AEAC160&site=eds-live&scope=site. News.
  • Edmonson, Jasmine. “Louisiana State University.” Welcome to LSU, a Top Research University, https://www.lsu.edu/intlpro/apa/blog_posts/2021/hbcus_a_brief_history.php#:~:text=of%20HBCU%20Connect-,Historically%20Black%20Colleges%20and%20Universities%20(HBCUs)%20are%20public%20and%20private,them%20during%20slavery%20and%20segregation. Website.

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