Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutions are often called the backbone of American higher education. HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs provide pathways to academic opportunity and achievement for millions of students of color, particularly those who come from low-income households and are the first in their families to attend college. Today, the federal government administers 11 different HBCU, TCU, or MSI designations, and these colleges and universities are geographically located across nearly every state, as well as in U.S. territories within the Caribbean and Pacific Islands, says a new report from the American Council on Education.
Given their demonstrated outcomes, the report calls on Congress to not only continue its support of these institutions but to also substantially increase funding to ensure their sustainability and expansion. “Federal agencies should prioritize resources to strengthen HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, while philanthropic organizations and private industries must establish strategic partnerships to enhance their impact,” the report notes.