Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) gave the African American people the opportunity to attain higher education centuries ago when the experience was non-existent . The first institutions of higher learning for the blacks was established in the year nineteen sixty-four to meet their needs. After the civil war and the implementation of the Morrill Act, the American government allowed free blacks and low socioeconomic populations including the whites. The expansion and existence of HBCUs still continue to date as more people desire the experience and the exemplary educational culture. However, the HBCU today face several challenges due to misconceptions of the quality of education, learning resources, infrastructure, and fees charged (Harper, 2019). HBCUs present numerous opportunities for students geared towards social change such as bridging the racial wealth gap and changing the vision to increase enrollment rates. HBCUs evolution over the years is an inspirational journey of struggling to survive against all the odds since the available opportunities give hope for a future transformation and re-flourishing of the institutes.
The political, legal, and socioeconomic factors which lead to the creation and expansion of HBCUs
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Several political, legal and socioeconomic factors were responsible for the creation and expansion of the HBCUs ( Goings & Gasman, 2014) . In the mid-twentieth century, the institutions of higher learning were established in line with the vision of providing for the high educational demand and need of the black students. Before the passing of the civil rights Act in 1964, black Americans didn’t get admissions to predominantly white institutions of higher learning, which necessitated the establishment of HBCUs. Thanks to the implementation of the second Morrill Act in the year eighteen ninety that allowed the black students to have public land grant universities and colleges (Newkirk, 2014). Initially, few courses such as mechanical, agriculture and industrial subjects were the only ones available, until things got better with the enactment of Office for Civil Rights (OCR) that supported desegregation in the institutions. Another key contribution of the creation and expansion of HBCUs politically was the white house initiative enforced by President George Bush in the year nineteen eighty-nine ( Palmer, Arroyo & Maramba, 2018 ). The president gave an executive order to the federal educators to improve the quality of education and sponsor programs of the HBCUs.
The year nineteen sixty-five also improved the state of affairs of the HBCUs with the establishment of the higher education Act commonly referred to as Title III. Upon amendment, the Act authorized more funds to the HBCUs with the aim of boosting the programs offered in the institutions ( Cooper, Cavil & Cheeks, 2014 ). Furthermore, the institutions became more popularized than before and depended on financial support from the state government and white philanthropy. The monopoly of educating black students was overwhelming in the last century as the HBCUs became iconic institutions that taught politics, culture, and art ( Goings & Gasman, 2014). ). The enrolment numbers went up from the establishment of the institutions since people desired to learn the relationship between democracy and education. Thus, after the painful experience of the civil war, the blacks needed to understand American politics and economy to fit socially. Historically, the HBCUs influenced their students’ character with regards to the liberation struggle ( Newkirk, 2014) . The alumni of the HBCUs continually critiqued the racially segregated system of education until the Supreme Court allowed for similar educational facilities as those in traditionally white institutions.
The current social, economic, or political challenges facing these institutions in contemporary higher education
Despite the struggle to exist and improve performance, HBCUs face several challenges today in America. Several HBCUs are closing down and collapsing mostly due to unsuccessful merging attempts with the other predominantly white colleges as a result of lack of funds to run the schools. Another reason for the collapsing of the HBCUs is the low student enrolment figures ( Palmer, Arroyo & Maramba, 2018 ). In all the troubles at the institutions, sometimes the government fails to offer federal bankruptcy protection to help them figure out how to survive past the difficult moment. Furthermore, with the increasing number of other affordable and flexible online higher education institutions, fewer students give preference to HBCUs today. Considering that the HBCUs were build and established many years ago, the problem of infrastructure threatens its progress. The universities are struggling to keep up with trends in educational infrastructure and resources with the little federal assistance at their disposal ( Newkirk, 2014) . The recent educational loan policies in America coupled with the unstable leadership and investment systems caught the HBCUs management unawares.
In the era of black empowerment and strong democratic space in America today, the reason for the existence of HBCUs seems outdated ( Goings & Gasman, 2014) . For example, the HBCUs need to change their value position with regards to mission and vision to manage the dropping enrollment rates. Back in the days, black students flocked the schools as their only way to attain higher education, unlike today where the desire is to enroll in diversified schools like those predominantly white. The quality of education is constantly under scrutiny and unless improved their reputation is unfavorable. Most of the students enrolled in the HBCUs usually come from low-income families or have relatively lower grades which result in drop-outs and only a few students graduate ( Cooper, Cavil & Cheeks, 2014 ). The rising standard of living in America could also be attributed to the dropping out students who lack the financial support to continue studying. Furthermore, the predominantly white colleges and universities today are always looking to enroll qualified African American students to study which is advantageous to both the student and the Institute yet a loss to the HBCUs.
The opportunities of these institutions in shaping public policy and societal change
Numerous opportunities exist in the HBCUs today that focus on societal change and shaping the public policy for the greater good. The cost of tuition fees is one of the most attractive elements for HBCUs compared to the traditionally white colleges and universities ( Palmer, Arroyo & Maramba, 2018 ). Besides the relatively low tuition charges, the schools offer broader sets of financial assistance for qualified and deserving students. The great financial assistance covers fees, accommodation, learning resources, personal expenses and transport that makes the students' life as comfortable as their white counterparts. Today, HBCUs do not only enroll black students, but all races are hence presenting a cultural and racial diversity that improves the learning experience especially in exchange programs (Harper, 2019). The students of HBCUs come out better suited for the US and the world after the multicultural exposure in school. Additionally, the system at the HBCUs is student-supportive with the special care, and attention was given to students. For instance, students receive as many remedial classes as necessary found in the reading laboratories, counseling services and developmental centers for better performance.
Despite the many challenges facing HBCUs from the past to date, the only way out is the opportunity to work on their sustainability now that they know the root causes of their issues ( Goings & Gasman, 2014) . It is never too late to make improvements that will revive the institutions completely and attract more learners than before. In essence, HBCUs management could start by adopting a new business model that will drive the desired changes through commitment and innovations within manageable costs ( Palmer, Arroyo & Maramba, 2018 ). The other opportunity still available to save the HBCUs from becoming non-existent is the issue of creating a new vision for their colleges which some of them that are excelling already did. Moreover, since the biggest issue in HBCUs is leadership, the institutions could work closely with key stakeholders such as the staff, students, alumni, and faculty to improve on their governance for better results.
The existence of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities in America was basically founded on the history of blacks’ exclusion and segregation ( Newkirk, 2014) . After the civil war in America, the blacks developed stronger needs for higher education contrary to the whites’ perception. Through the enactment of the Civil Rights Act and the subsequent help from the government and private well-wishers, the black colleges flourished with more black and non-black students enrolling ( Cooper, Cavil & Cheeks, 2014 ). However, the HBCUs have always faced numerous challenges from the beginning up to now with regards to the operations. Most people question the quality of education offered in the institutions; financial problems keep arising leading to the closure of several institutions, leadership issues, and low enrollment rates currently ( Goings & Gasman, 2014) . However, all is not lost since the HBCUs still have a variety of opportunities at their disposal. People still hold the culture of HBCUs with high regards; the fees are affordable and the fact that most influential people in America are alumni ( Palmer, Arroyo & Maramba, 2018 ). Moreover, the HBCUs stand a fair chance of reviving their seemingly lost glory in the trending educational world by changing their vision, governance, and infrastructure to meet the challenges facing the institutions.
References
Cooper, J. N., Cavil, J. K., & Cheeks, G. (2014). The state of intercollegiate athletics at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Past, present, & persistence. Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics , 7 (1), 307-332.
Goings, R. B., & Gasman, M. (2014). The future of HBCUs may rest on adopting a growth mindset. Diverse: Issues in Higher Education .
Harper, B. E. (2019). African American access to higher education: the evolving role of historically black colleges and universities.
Newkirk, V. R. (Ed.). (2014). New life for historically Black colleges and universities: A 21st-century perspective . McFarland.
Palmer, R. T., Arroyo, A. T., & Maramba, D. C. (2018). Exploring the perceptions of HBCU student affairs practitioners toward the racial diversification of Black colleges. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education , 11 (1), 1.
