
A HEARTFELT THANK YOU TO ALL WHO MADE UNITE 2025 A HISTORIC SUCCESS…
-For championing the proven impact of HBCUs and shaping the future of higher education.
-For your unwavering commitment to the transformation of HBCUs.
-For helping to make UNITE 2025 a landmark event in the journey of higher education.
Your participation, passion and insights created an unforgettable experience. We are deeply grateful to each of you for joining us on this journey of innovation, leadership and transformation.
WE ARE DEEPLY GRATEFUL TO OUR 2025 PREMIER LEVEL SPONSORS
WE APPRECIATE OUR 2025 PRESENTERS FOR YOUR INVALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS
1EdTech Consortium 20MM, Michelson Institute for Intellectual Property 3GC Inc. 8B Education Investments Acadeum Adage Capital Management Advising Success Network | NASPA Alabama A&M University Alabama State University Albany State University Allen University Amazon American Association for the Advancement of Science American Council on Education Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Anthology, Inc. Association for Institutional Research ASU+GSV Atlanta Life Insurance Company Atlanta Unbound Academy Atlanta University Center Consortium Axim Collaborative Axios Atlanta B.E.S.T. Academy at The Thomas W. Dortch Jr. Institute Bank of America, Atlanta Barber & Associates, LLC Barber-Scotia College Basta Benedict College Bennett College Bethune-Cookman University Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Black Alliance of Colleges and Employers BLACK ENTERPRISE Blackbaud Bottom Line Bottom Up Thinking Bowie State University Braven Atlanta Brookings Institution, Center for Community Uplift The Butterfly Effect Cambridge Associates Campus.edu Center for Black Educator Development Center for Education Market Dynamics The Center for Educator Preparation & Innovation Central State University The Century Foundation Chase City of Atlanta, GA City of Birmingham, AL Claflin University Clark Atlanta University Clinton College CodePath.org College Board College of the Canyons The Common App Community Investment Network Complete College America Cushman & Wakefield Delaware State University Deloitte DePaul University Dillard University Diverse: Issues In Higher Education DonorsChoose Element451 Elizabeth City State University Ellucian Emory University Entertainment Industry College Outreach Program Fayetteville State University Fidelity Investments The Findings Group FirstGen Forward Fisk University Florida A&M University Florida Memorial University Fort Valley State University The Foundation To Combat Antisemitism Gates Foundation Georgia State University GirlTREK Grambling State University Harlem Children’s Zone Harris-Stowe State University Harvard University HBCU Africa Education Coalition Corp HBCU Cares HBCU Coalition.org Healthy Minds Study The Historic Fund Holon IQ/QS Hope Credit Union Hope Enterprise Corporation Howard University Huston-Tillotson University InsideTrack Interdenomonational Theological Center |
Jackson State University Jarvis Christian University The Jed Foundation Jefferson State Community College Jerry Consulting Group, LLC Johnson C. Smith University Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies JPMorgan Chase & Co. The Kresge Foundation Lane College Latimer.ai LearningMate LeMoyne-Owen College Lincoln University of PA Livingstone College Loyola University Chicago Lumen Learning Lumina Foundation Martin University McKinsey & Company Medgar Evers College Miles College MN Associates, Inc. Morehouse College Morris Brown College Morris College NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education National Charter Collaborative National Education Equity Lab National Survey of Student Engagement New America Noodle Norfolk State University North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University North Carolina Central University Oakwood University Olive-Harvey College Open Research Community Accelerator Operation HOPE Paine College Paul Quinn College Peachtree Providence Partners Philadelphia College Prep Roundtable Philander Smith University Prairie View A&M University Prince George’s Community College Progressive Policy Institute Prudential Financial Quality Matters Riipen Roxbury Community College Rust College Saint Augustine’s University Sallie Mae Shaw University Shorter College SNCC Legacy Project Solutions by Self South Carolina State University Southern Education Foundation Southface Institute Spelman College St. Phillips College Stackwell Capital, Inc. Stanford University The Steve Fund Stillman College Strada Education Foundation Student Freedom Initiative Sustain Our Future Foundation Talladega College Target Teach For America Teamer Strategy Group, LLC Tennessee State University Thurgood Marshall College Fund TNTP Tougaloo College Trellis Strategies Tulani, LLC Tuskegee University U.S. Department of Education – Federal Student Aid UNCF UNCF Institute for Capacity Building UNCF K-12 Advocacy UNCF National Pre-Alumni Council UNCF Presidents-in-Residence Unicon, Inc. University of the District of Columbia University of Michigan School of Public Health Virginia State University WABE-FM The Walt Disney Company Wellington Management Wilberforce University Wiley University Winston-Salem State University WSP USA Xerox |
CONSIDER BECOMING A SPONSOR OR PRESENTER FOR UNITE 2026
It’s never too early to help shape the next chapter of HBCU excellence.
Whether you’re interested in participating as a sponsor or a presenter for UNITE 2026, your involvement will drive transformative initiatives in institutional growth, student success, innovative research, economic mobility and systems change. Help lead the way in the future of higher education.
Seize the opportunity to be part of the premier event that’s transforming HBCUs and higher education for all.
For more details on 2026 sponsorship and presenter opportunities, please contact UNCF Institute for Capacity Building Strategist, Dr. Kendra M. Sharp, at Kendra.Sharp@uncf.org.
UNITE PILLARS
Designed to reach across traditional lines of responsibility and present 360-degree views of key issues in higher education, our five guiding pillars support advancing the missions of HBCUs and strengthening higher education as a whole.
INSTITUTIONAL EXCELLENCE
UNCF was established in 1944 as a membership organization of HBCUs, committed to helping each achieve their critical missions.
UNITE offers 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 HBCUs 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 HBCU 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.
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STUDENT SUCCESS
For more than a century, HBCUs have deployed countless compelling strategies to support their students. Unparalleled HBCU outcomes in graduation rates, career trajectories and social impact for the HBCU 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 are designed to help those most responsible for ensuring every student is better positioned to fulfill their dreams and aspirations
We showcase 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 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.
RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
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 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 are designed 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 HBCUs 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.
ECONOMIC MOBILITY
HBCUs have always had an outsized impact on social and economic mobility for their communities.
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 offers sessions on Economic Mobility for champions committed to furthering economic independence for all students and their communities.
ECONOMIC MOBILITY SUMMIT FOCUS AREAS:
Alumni Empowerment. Empowering HBCU graduates to have a 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 value and promise of an HBCU 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.
SYSTEMS CHANGE
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 are designed 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 HBCUs 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.
ABOUT UNCF UNITE
Powered by UNCF, UNITE is the nation’s premier annual gathering for accelerating strategies for the support and institutional transformation of HBCUs.
UNITE is organized each year by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building, whose mission is to partner with HBCUs to help them propel student success and community impact.
Explore our video archive and discover powerful insights from past events and speakers.
A Look Back at UNITE 2024 in Photos
Why UNITE
HBCUv – The Future of Higher Education
Meet Amari Franklin – Clark Atlanta University
UNITE 2023 Video Recap
Dr. Johnnetta Cole
HBCU History is American History
Meet Jabez Roberson – Claflin University