HBCUs & The Non-Traditional Student

Before I really pour my thoughts into this topic, I'd like to clarify a few things:

1. I am a PROUD product of an HBCU (Historically Black College or University), having grew up in the shadow of the campus of Washington DC's Howard University, and having matriculated at both the University of The District Of Columbia, and Alabama State University.
2. I'm a Veteran, an IT Professional, and soon-to-be second time student that will fall into the 'non-traditional' student category.

Needless to say, I'm pretty invested in the health and survival of this particular African-American institution. Being a product of the legacy and culture of HBCU's, observing the trials and hurdles that HBCU schools have to deal with to simply exist is heart-breaking. It's also spurred me as an HBCU product and supporter, to seriously look at how I can support our continued efforts to survive.

What exactly is a 'Non-Traditional' student? Honestly, the term can apply to a LOT of adults of varying ages, and varying walks of life. Sometimes that student is a parent; In other instances, that student is a recent immigrant, or an established professional. In essence, a non-traditional student is (or can be) any student that doesn't necessarily go the conventional high school-to-college route right away. HBCU's are rich in culture, tradition, self-love, and pretty much everything that goes along with the idea of African-American excellence. They're a vehicle to give younger students entering higher education a place to love themselves and flourish while preparing for the world outside of those campus gates. We've been doing that job since the end of reconstruction and the overall collective mission of educating and empowering our people hasn't changed all that much. What HAS changed, is the current modernized world that HBCU's share with a globalized and ultra-connected public. With that modernization comes a wide spectrum of brand new standards and needs for students.

In today's highly competitive landscape for students, HBCU schools have to be particularly creative in order to retain students, and to continue staying at the forefront of conversations dealing with our communities. One avenue that many of our institutions could really use to bolster their overall visibility and mainstream appeal, is crafting effective vehicles for the non-traditional student. There are some schools, like North Carolina A&T, Tennessee State, and Norfolk State Universities, that have robust and diverse degree and professional education options that are targeted for working adults and veterans. Online and distance education systems could be of particular benefit for these groups, as well as students that may eventually want the brick and mortar experiences that HBCU's provide, but may not be in a position to take advantage of. As a Navy Veteran whose looking at programs that have that HBCU lineage, I'd be considered one of those students. Schools like George Washington, Georgetown, Old Dominion, and the University of Maryland all have programs designed for the working adult, the veteran, etc, but they don't have the cultural connection I desire. This is a space where many students find themselves with very few options, depending on the specialty and course of study.

If more HBCU institutions made a dedicated effort to really EMBRACE the idea of programs for the non-traditional student, it could really boost traditional admission and retention efforts across the board. That framework could also be an avenue for HBCU's to introduce a new generation of people to a host of emerging industries that are quickly becoming a huge part of the U.S. workforce. Technology and Clean Energy careers are particularly open for this kind of advancement.

In a time where innovation in attracting and retaining students is paramount, being creative in terms of the type of student we collectively appeal to is really important. Diversifying who we attract without straying from the core spirit and mission of HBCU's is a winning formula. If done the right way, it can be part of a multi-faceted long-term strategy to ensure that the HBCU spirit remains at the forefront of educating our own for the foreseeable future.