Historically Black Colleges and Universities Project

U.S. Africa Institute partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to ensure immigrant, refugee, international, and underrepresented students receive the strong, coordinated institutional support they need to thrive. We collaborate closely with HBCU consortia, individual institutions, and national organizations—such as the Texas HBCU Consortium and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF)—to help campuses develop welcoming policies, dedicated resources, and sustainable student support systems.

Systemic Change Through Institutional Engagement

Our work focuses on strengthening institutional infrastructure through deep institutional engagement that brings about lasting systemic change. We partner with HBCU leadership to:

• Expand scholarship opportunities specifically for immigrant, refugee, and international students
• Establish comprehensive mentorship programs connecting students with faculty, alumni, and community leaders
• Create flexible tuition payment plans that accommodate the unique financial circumstances of underrepresented students
• Advance culturally responsive academic advising that recognizes the distinct needs and strengths of diverse student populations
• Develop institutional policies that embed support for immigrant and international students into core operations

Policy Advocacy and Compliance Support

We prioritize policy advocacy that protects students from immigration-related challenges, including visa disruptions, SEVIS compliance issues, and other regulatory complications—areas underscored in national reports such as the Presidents’ Alliance’s April 2025 analysis on international student challenges. Our advocacy work includes:

• Providing technical assistance on immigration compliance and best practices
• Developing emergency response protocols for immigration enforcement situations
• Training institutional staff on supporting students navigating complex immigration systems
• Advocating for federal and state policies that protect and expand opportunities for immigrant students

Tuition Equity and Access Initiatives

We support state-level initiatives that broaden access to in-state tuition for underrepresented students, drawing on successful models like Arizona’s Proposition 308, which expanded tuition equity for undocumented students in 2022. These policy wins inform our efforts as we guide HBCUs in:

• Adopting equitable tuition policies that remove barriers for immigrant and refugee students
• Implementing student support frameworks that address financial, academic, and social needs
• Developing institutional advocacy strategies for state-level policy change
• Creating sustainable funding models that support underrepresented student success

Capacity Building and Cross-Campus Collaboration

By equipping HBCUs with practical tools, policy models, and cross-campus collaboration opportunities, we help these institutions remain inclusive hubs for Black immigrant, refugee, international, and underrepresented students. Our capacity-building work includes:

• Facilitating peer learning networks among Texas HBCUs and beyond
• Providing technical assistance and training for institutional leaders, faculty, and staff
• Sharing best practices and replicable models across institutions
• Creating communities of practice focused on immigrant student success

Impact and Mission Alignment

Through this initiative, we strengthen academic success, retention, and community integration for underrepresented students while ensuring HBCUs can continue their historic mission of expanding opportunity and advancing equity for all students. Our partnership approach honors the legacy of HBCUs as institutions committed to educational justice while addressing the contemporary needs of increasingly diverse student populations.