6. COMMUNITY SERVING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

As is explained in more detail in the “For Students: Some Important Definitions” section earlier in this book, a “college” is typically a two- or four-year institution where you study at the undergraduate level. A “university” is a four-year institution that offers both undergraduate and graduate level courses. In addition, there are many different types of colleges and universities in the United States.

Some colleges and universities have histories in serving particular populations such as women, religious groups, and African Americans. Others are now working toward supporting specific growing and/or struggling student populations. As a student, you might want to study at a college or university that has a rich history, diverse curriculum, and faculty members from a historically underrepresented population. You also might want to attend a school that makes an extra effort to support students like yourself. Consider the lists below if you fall into any of these categories. Check out their websites; each school’s name links to their homepage.

American Indian Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities

The Navajo nation created the first tribally controlled college in 1968 with Navajo Community College (now called Diné College). In December 2011, President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13592 with the goal of improving American Indian and Alaska Native educational opportunities through strengthening tribally controlled colleges and universities. Many of these institutions are located in the poorest parts of the Midwest and Southwest in very rural and remote areas. Tribally controlled colleges and universities are important not only for American Indian communities but for the overall preservation and fostering of American Indian cultures, languages, and traditions. Any student interested in strengthening tribal nations and learning in an environment mixed with Native cultures and traditions might consider applying to one of these institutions.

Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions

These institutions can receive grants and related assistance to improve and expand their capacity to serve Alaska Natives and Native Hawaiians. An Alaska Native-serving institution must have an undergraduate enrollment that is at least 20% Alaska Native students. A Native Hawaiian-serving institution must have an undergraduate enrollment that is at least 10% Native Hawaiian students. Please note that the correct punctuation and pronunciation of the state of Hawaii is “Hawai’i.” In organizing this list, I decided to use the simplified spelling of Hawaii for general searching purposes.

First-Generation Forward Institutions

These institutions were awarded the designation “First-Generation Forward” by the Center for First-Generation Student Success, an initiative of the NASPA and The Suder Foundation. To be eligible, these institutions need to be accredited, be a member of NASPA, secure senior leadership support and commitment to participation, designate a minimum of two employees to serve as representatives, and commit to fulfilling the requirements of the program. These requirements include a series of training and educational seminars on how best to support first-generation students.

Hispanic-Serving Institutions

A Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) is an accredited and degree-granting institution of higher education with 25% or more of its full-time undergraduates identifying as Hispanic. In 2018–2019, there were 539 HSIs located in twenty-seven states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Only 17% of all institutions of higher education in the United States met the requirements to be called an HSI. The states with the most HSIs include California (176), Texas (96), Puerto Rico (60), New York (34), Florida (29), Illinois (25), and New Mexico (24). Of all HSIs, 43% were public two-year colleges, 28% were private four-year colleges, and 26% were public four-year colleges. The remaining 3% were private two-year colleges. For more information on HSIs, visit the Excelencia in Education website or the Institutional Service home page of the Office of Postsecondary Education under the United States Department of Education.

Historically Black Colleges and Universities

The Higher Education Act of 1965 defines a historically Black college or university (HBCU) as an institution “established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of Black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” Before 1964, Black Americans were not allowed to study at a majority of higher institutions of learning in the United States. Most of these institutions are in the South and the Midwest. Today, anyone can attend an HBCU, not just Black students. Some of these HBCUs, including Howard University, Spelman College, Xavier University of Louisiana, Hampton University, and Morehouse College, are highly competitive and have graduated very successful, famous alumni.

Online Institutions

These colleges or universities offer most or all of their degrees through digital platforms. Make sure to check if these are regionally or nationally accredited; this might be important if you plan on transferring to another university. They should be accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), which is recognized and authorized by the United States Department of Education. I’ve tried marking them accordingly, but accreditations can change. Check their websites for the most updated accreditation information in the institution’s “About” page.

Veteran-Serving Institutions

If you are a veteran student or family member of veterans, you might have specific concerns about how a school can support your studies. For example, does the school offer solid mental health counseling? Can they accommodate veterans with disabilities? Are any of the counselors or staff veterans themselves? Are there campus and social networking events planned especially for veterans? Can career center staff help veteran students identify job opportunities specifically geared toward them? Does the university have industry-employer relationship programs for both active duty and veteran students to help raise chances of post-graduation employment?

VIQTORY, a service-disabled, veteran-owned small business, labels schools Military Friendly® if they have a high rate of student retention, graduation, job placement, and loan repayment for veteran students. Below are some of the public colleges and universities that received their “Top Ten” friendliest ranking.

Women’s Colleges and Universities

These colleges or universities admit only female students. Some women’s colleges have started creating policies that are inclusive of transgender students. Many are religiously affiliated, liberal arts schools.