Black colleges and universities have been key levers in the development and uplift of the Black community. The United Negro College Fund was established in 1944 as a membership organization of HBCUs, committed to helping each achieve their critical missions.

At this year’s summit, we redoubled our efforts to support all Black colleges and universities as they pursue transformation and sustainability.

UNITE offered sessions on Institutional Excellence, designed for institutional leaders, partners and champions committed to adapting new and promising strategies leading to effective partnerships, streamlined processes and enhanced skills and capabilities.

By embracing Institutional Excellence, we ensure Black colleges and universities are equipped to meet the demands of today’s learners, preparing them for a future of limitless opportunities.

INSTITUTIONAL EXCELLENCE SUMMIT FOCUS AREAS:

Campus Operations. Enhancing the management and development of institutional facilities and operational systems.  

Executive Leadership. Increasing the effectiveness of Black college presidents and executive leadership. 

Financial Sustainability. Investigating approaches to improved business models, fiscal processes, and systems for revenue generation and stewardship. 

Fundraising & Advancement. Securing resources and partnerships that help our institutions fulfill their missions. 

Transformation & Organizational Development. Executing strategies that lead to resilient and thriving institutions. 

For more than a century, HBCUs have deployed countless compelling strategies to support Black college students. Their unparalleled outcomes in graduation rates, career trajectories and social impact for the Black community and the country speak for themselves.

But this doesn’t mean our job is done. In all we do, we must continue to place students first.

UNITE sessions on Student Success were designed to help those most responsible for ensuring every student is better positioned to fulfill their dreams and aspirations

We showcased opportunities to teach, innovate, share thought leadership and revisit time-proven approaches so all students can maximize their higher education experience.

STUDENT SUCCESS SUMMIT FOCUS AREAS:

Enrollment & Retention. Investigating promising practices in recruitment, admissions, financial aid and student services. 

Inclusion & Belonging. Fostering institutional environments where all are treated with respect and care, and made to feel welcome, valued and heard. 

Learner Voice. Elevating the perspectives of and aspirations of Black college students and their role in institutional transformation. 

Mental Health. Addressing the mental health and social and emotional well-being of students, faculty and administrators. 

Teaching & Learning. Enhancing curriculum, instruction, and professional development for faculty and others who support the learning process. 

The future, as they say, is now. Right now.

Seismic changes in remote learning, big data, and institutional research, assessment and evaluation are all on the horizon and leaders who seize the moment and new ideas will shape the future of Black higher education.

When HBCUs reflect intentionally on their existing practices, implement innovations with the latest technology, and track progress using data-driven approaches, they create the conditions for all of their stakeholders to thrive.

UNITE sessions on Research and Innovation were held for those with one eye on the changes to come, and the other on what we must do today to prepare for their timely arrival.

RESEARCH AND INNOVATION SUMMIT FOCUS AREAS:

Digital Solutions. Embracing the technologies that enable and enhance the educational enterprise. 

 Global Strategies. Advancing international collaboration with Black colleges and universities and connections to global organizations, ideas and audiences. 

 Innovation in Action. Leveraging novel, groundbreaking ideas to shape the future of higher education. 

Knowledge Management. Improving data, knowledge and information systems to drive institutional improvement. 

Research & Assessment. Elevating the systematic investigation and analysis of practices that lead to educational attainment. 

HBCUs have always had an outsized impact on social and economic mobility for the Black community. 

From the beginning, HBCUs have collaborated with business and industry to strengthen institutional operations while prioritizing practices that helped their students develop fulfilling, life-affirming and community-sustaining careers.

Through collaboration between educators, industry leaders, and strategic partners, we strive to enhance career pathways that support skill development, student engagement and transition to the world of work.

UNITE offered sessions on Economic Mobility for champions committed to furthering economic independence for Black college students and the Black community.

ECONOMIC MOBILITY SUMMIT FOCUS AREAS:

Alumni Empowerment. Empowering graduates of Black colleges and universities toward lifelong connection with their alma mater and achievement of their life’s aspirations.  

Career Pathways. Securing the supports and onramps that enable successful transition from college to career. 

Industry Collaboration. Cultivating alliances between institutions and industry leaders to advance the promise of Black higher education. 

STEM Initiatives. Advancing learning, research, curriculum development and organizational strategy in the fields of science, mathematics, engineering and technology. 

Workforce Skills. Aligning programs and curricula to the skills needed in the 21st century workforce. 

No matter the scale and accomplishments of our individual institutions, we’re all just fish in a large pond. We all operate in the roiling waters of our larger society, where systems beyond an institution’s control can impact the well-being and effectiveness of its students, faculty, and communities.

We can only compel the Systems Change needed for our institutions by making waves as a group.

UNITE sessions on Systems Change were offered for those seeking to leverage expertise and networks – both inside and outside of higher education – to positively influence the success of our students and institutions.

By harnessing our efforts, we ensure Black colleges and universities are positioned to influence systems that can accelerate their progress.

SYSTEMS CHANGE SUMMIT FOCUS AREAS:

Asset and Endowment Management. Examining approaches to manage institutional assets to foster long-term financial health.  

Civic Partnerships. Deepening HBCU participation in federal, state and local government activity, including research, policy development and administrative programming. 

Climate Action. Advancing HBCU impact on climate change and environmental research, curriculum, innovation and community engagement strategies. 

Community Empowerment. Fortifying relationships among institutions and their local communities to embrace common causes, unified goals and aligned strategies. 

K-12 Pathways. Connecting primary and secondary to higher education to propel student achievement and success.