Life
HBCU Honors Programs: Attracting the Best and Brightest
There is an abundance of research on academically underprepared students and their experiences at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Likewise, there is a fair amount of research on developmental programs and the role that HBCUs play in empowering students who struggle in college.
However, there is a lack of empirical research on high-achieving students at HBCUs, especially those that participate in honors programs.
This lack of research creates a false understanding of the contributions of Black colleges, highlighting only their work with underprepared students and neglecting the experiences of high-achieving students and the meaningful efforts of honors program staffs.
HBCU honors programs vary by institution, but have a common mission of attracting and retaining high-achieving African American students.
