The Historically Black College and University (“HBCU”) Exchange Program is a program designed to allow Nevada State students the opportunity to visit at a historically black college or university in order to experience a different academic framework and to immerse themselves in a different cultural environment.
HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the African American community as well as the entire nation. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.”
HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents. These institutions train young people who go on to serve domestically and internationally in the professions as entrepreneurs and in the public and private sectors.
Associate Dean/Professor
School of Education
As a student who attended and graduated from an HBCU, I am so thankful for the opportunities that were available to me. Seeing other students who looked like me from different walks of life, different states, and different countries opened me up to the diversity of my people across the African Diaspora. It was so empowering to see “excellence personified”. My fellow students were exploring so many disciplines from Biology, to English, to Sociology and more. There was a niche for every interest. If you were into fraternities and sororities, sports, or fulfilled by other intellectual pursuits, there was a place and space for everyone to feel secure and confident as a Black person in America. Also, being one of the first cohorts of students to travel abroad, my eyes were opened to exploring the world which was very rare for Black students at the time. I have since traveled to over 16 countries! Now, most of my fellow Xavier University, Class of 97′ peers are doctors, lawyers, world renowned teachers, poets and much more. We are all in constant gratitude for the world that was opened to us by attending an HBCU.
Associate Professor of Communication / Social Science
School of Liberal Arts & Sciences
I transferred to Hampton University to play wide receiver for the Pirates in 1998 after attending my first semester of college at a PWI (Boston University). At BU black students were an overwhelming minority on campus. When I got to Hampton I remember feeling a much greater sense of belonging that reminded me of my high school which was majority black. The value of that feeling of belonging cannot be emphasized enough particularly when you are dealing with all the uncertainty that comes with being a college student. While I was playing football I never really got to enjoy the tailgating and legendary half-time battles of the bands at games but in my later years I have attended several HBCU Classics around the country and each one was an amazing experience. Other than the life-long friendships I was able to forge I would say that the thing I found most worthwhile about attending an HBCU was getting to meet black folks from all over the nation. I grew up in the Northeast corridor so until college I had really only gotten to know black folks from between Washington D.C. and Boston. At Hampton I met brothers and sisters from cities like Detroit, Chicago, Houston, Oakland, and Minneapolis to places as far flung as Alaska, Honolulu, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan (had a homeboy that was a ‘”You-pper”). All and all we just need to let them know that this is an opportunity to embed themselves in a place where blackness (black being and black dreaming) is embraced and celebrated every day.
Historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs) are schools that were founded on the belief that every individual deserves access to a college or higher education. More specifically, the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended defines an HBCU as:
“Any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary of Education.”
Criteria for Admission to the HBCU Exchange Program:
The following items must be submitted with the HBCU Exchange Program Application.
(All items must be included at the time of submission. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.)
There is no formal appeal process. However, the coordinator will be able to provide feedback regarding your application and decision.
No, not at this time. This program is intended to help underclassmen complete their graduation requirements by offering a unique educational with a Historically Black College/University.
This exchange program will provide a unique cultural and academic experience for each student. Some of the benefits may include networking opportunities, and internship placements.
The classes that are approved as financial-aid eligible will count just like any other Nevada State classes toward the enrollment requirements for all federal, state and institutional aid programs.
You can receive financial aid to cover expenses related to any courses that fulfill an unmet requirement for your degree program at Nevada State. This will be determined through the HBCU Exchange application process.
Your aid will pay to your student account (disburse) following the timeline for the Nevada State semester in which you are enrolled. Any charges on your account will be paid off first, then a refund of any excess aid will be issued to you through BankMobile based on your preferred delivery method.
HBCU Exchange Coordinator
