ETTRICK, Va. -- Students at Virginia State University are flocking to a class on the history of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).
The course titled "342-HBCU History" is new to the University this fall. VSU administrators believe it could be the nation's first higher education course on the topic.
The class will cover a range of historical and cultural subjects including, the schools’ origins; political activism; roles in creating the black middle and upper class; sports, music, campus life; contributions to America; roles in African decolonization; notable alums; and past, present, and future challenges.
Assistant Professor of History Dr. Cheryl Mango created the course. She believes other colleges will offer similar options in the future.
“In light of the battle for scholarly confirmation, I believe that HBCU History and HBCU Studies classes are the next frontier for Black colleges,” Mango said.
The class is already in high demand. VSU reports it quickly filled to capacity.
“It is our hope that VSU has begun a trend that all school systems, particularly fellow HBCUs will follow," Dr. Donald Palm, VSU Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs, said. “With the proper understanding and analysis from the institutions’ actual stakeholders, HBCUs can rightfully move from the periphery of African-American history, to take their rightful place as a central part of American and educational History.”
