INNOVATE

UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute (FDPRI), the nation’s leading research authority on HBCUs, has continued its research on “The HBCU Effect™” to validate the purpose and significant impact of HBCUs.

“The HBCU Effect™ aims to become the authoritative source for philanthropists, educators, students, reporters and all others researching the latest information about the success of HBCU students, faculty members, the institutions themselves, and by extension, their impact on the future of the U.S. and the broader global community,” said Dr. Nadrea R. Njoku, assistant vice president, FDPRI, UNCF.

“By uncovering HBCU truth through data and research, The HBCU Effect™ will illuminate how HBCUs yield a high return on investment by equipping their students, in particular first-generation students, with resources to close education and wealth gaps—transforming generations,” said Njoku.

HBCUs graduate low-income students, many of whom are first-generation, at higher rates than predominantly White institutions (PWIs), and these same HBCU students report greater academic and social gains than their counterparts.

However, despite their role as a catalyst for educational, economic, cultural and societal gains for students of color, HBCUs continue to lag behind in public awareness, critical financial resources and overall support.

The HBCU Effect™ is changing the narrative on HBCUs and offers evidence-based research that can support the legitimacy and success of HBCUs to the public rather than leaning entirely on anecdotal evidence as has been the case in the past.

A recent UNCF workforce alumni study revealed that HBCU students are very satisfied with their HBCU support networks during their time on campus and after graduation while they were pursuing opportunities in the job market.

“We seek to build upon the findings from this study through deeper inquiry to understand the collective HBCU experience and specific factors that contribute to students’ success while enrolled and after college to support accurate narratives about The HBCU Effect™,” said Njoku.

UNCF’s FDPRI has produced three major reports in The HBCU Effect™ series: “HBCUs Transforming Generations: Social Mobility Outcomes for HBCU Alumni,” “Culturally Relevant Practice: Implementation among Historically Black Colleges & Universities” and “HBCUs Punching Above Their Weight.” To read the individual reports, click here.

UNCF’s work to validate the purpose and significant impact of HBCUs shows that despite differences, better futures for all of us arise out of our common purpose—education—and goals to improve ourselves, our communities and our nation.