How are HBCUs working to increase enrollment?

Junior here trying to figure out the college landscape and I've noticed some HBCUs have been taking active steps to boost their enrollment. Does anyone know what strategies they're implementing to attract more students? Just curious if they're adding new programs, scholarships, or doing heavy recruitment, because that might influence my decision on where to apply.

HBCUs have indeed been involved in several innovative strategies to boost enrollment. Many HBCUs have increased their recruitment efforts by specifically focusing on areas with high populations of African American students. Those efforts often include school visits, college fairs, and informational sessions in various cities.

Additionally, there's a push to enhance overall visibility through alumni engagement, where successful graduates share their positive experiences with prospective students. In the past, the pool of students that even considered attending an HBCU was often quite small, so these institutions are motivated to encourage students to keep an open mind.

In terms of scholarships, many HBCUs offer competitive scholarships aimed at both merit and need-based applicants, and some have partnerships with organizations that provide scholarships exclusively to students attending HBCUs. On the subject of inclusivity, in response to the global pandemic, many institutions have become more flexible with admissions requirements, like waiving standardized test scores, to accommodate students facing challenges.

Academically, HBCUs continuously develop and expand programs to attract a wide range of interests, including introducing new STEM programs, like computer science, and enhancing existing ones. Partnerships with major companies and government agencies for internships and job placements are also part of the strategy to show the value of an HBCU education.

All these efforts contribute to creating an appealing environment for new students, so you're smart to factor them into your decisions about where to apply. Good luck with your search!