A Week of Contrasts for Historically Black Colleges and Universities
In a week that starkly highlighted both the triumphs and tribulations facing Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), these vital institutions celebrated historic milestones while simultaneously confronting a wave of security threats and disparaging incidents. From record-breaking enrollment numbers and innovative educational partnerships to campus lockdowns and offensive rhetoric, recent events underscore the resilience and enduring importance of HBCUs in a complex landscape.
Security Threats Prompt Campus Lockdowns
On Thursday, September 11, 2025, a disturbing series of threats forced at least five HBCUs across the nation to implement emergency safety protocols. The targeted institutions included Virginia State University, Hampton University, Bethune-Cookman University in Florida, Alabama State University, and Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. In response, university officials took decisive action to protect their communities:
- Virginia State University and Hampton University both canceled classes and went into lockdown. Hampton extended its suspension of non-essential activities through Friday, September 12.
- Bethune-Cookman University canceled all classes and instructed students to shelter in their dorm rooms.
- Alabama State University shut down all campus operations after receiving what it described as “terrorist threats,” according to a report from digitaltrendstoday.com.
- Southern University placed its entire Baton Rouge campus on lockdown, instructing everyone to shelter in place.
These coordinated actions are distressingly familiar, echoing a series of bomb threats that targeted at least 14 HBCUs in February 2022. Law enforcement agencies are actively investigating the source of the recent threats, as university leaders work to ensure the safety and well-being of their students and staff.
Incidents of Disrespect and Prejudice
Beyond security concerns, HBCUs also contended with incidents of public disrespect. On September 9, 2025, internet personality Charleston White caused a disturbance during a debate at Tougaloo College in Mississippi. Video clips showed White making disparaging remarks, stating, “I don’t give a damn about no HBCU,” before calling students “poor” as he was escorted off campus.
Earlier in the week, Christ Church Episcopal School in Greenville, South Carolina, severed ties with a contracted football announcer who compared students from South Carolina State University to inmates at the state’s Department of Corrections. The school issued a public apology, and its head personally expressed his regret to the president of SC State. Alumni of the university expressed their hurt but accepted the apology, hoping it leads to greater understanding.
Celebrating Unprecedented Growth and Opportunity
Despite these challenges, a powerful counter-narrative of growth and success was also prominent. On September 10, 2025, North Carolina A&T State University announced a historic achievement, becoming the first HBCU ever to enroll more than 15,000 students. The university’s fall enrollment reached 15,275, a 6.7% increase from the previous year and its 12th consecutive year of growth. This milestone was driven by strong increases in first-year, transfer, graduate, and international student populations.
New educational pathways are also expanding access to the HBCU experience. In Fresno, California, the Fresno Unified School District announced an expansion of its HBCU Step-Up Program, adding Fort Valley State University in Georgia as its second dual-enrollment partner. The program allows high school students to earn transferable college credits, providing a crucial bridge for West Coast students to attend HBCUs.
Meanwhile, in New York City, the new HBCU Early College Prep High School officially opened its doors in Jamaica, Queens, on September 4. In a partnership with Delaware State University, the high school offers students a dual-enrollment curriculum, allowing them to earn an associate degree for free while experiencing HBCU culture through campus visits and activities.
These developments demonstrate that while HBCUs continue to face adversity, their mission is more resonant than ever. Through resilience, academic excellence, and a commitment to creating new opportunities, they are not only surviving but thriving, proving their indispensable role in higher education.
