The U.S. President just signed a new executive order that brings the HBCU initiative back under the White House. This move puts more emphasis on building partnerships with private companies, improving campus programs, and helping students prepare for tech careers. It also supports the HBCU Partners Act, which could lead to more research funding, better facilities, and new efforts to get more students into HBCUs.
Being back in the White House could mean less involvement from federal departments, more control from federal departments, and more control from the top. With a focus on business partnerships, this plan will push HBCUs to team up more with private companies, especially for tech training and job prep. More money for growth could help schools land big research grants and get upgrades for new buildings and programs. While the order mentions inclusion it also comes with Trump’s push against traditional DEI efforts. So, the approach to diversity could look very different from what we’ve seen in recent years.
Overall, HBCUs might get new opportunities and funding, but with less government agency involvement and a shift in how diversity efforts are framed. Conversations have begun to arise as the HBCU community feels that this is a huge contradiction as funding and grants have already been pulled from HBCUs and others. Some think this is a push to re-segregate education. Only time will tell as President Trump has signed 130 executive orders to date.
