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Bridges: 6. COMMUNITY SERVING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

Bridges

6. COMMUNITY SERVING COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES

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.

STATE

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Alaska

Ilisagvik College

Arizona

Diné College

Arizona

Tohono O’odham Community College

Kansas

Haskell Indian Nations University

Michigan

Bay Mills Community College

Michigan

Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College

Michigan

Saginaw Chippewa Tribal College

Minnesota

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College

Minnesota

Leech Lake Tribal College

Minnesota

Red Lake Nation College

Minnesota

White Earth Tribal and Community College

Montana

Aaniiih Nakoda College

Montana

Blackfeet Community College

Montana

Chief Dull Knife College

Montana

Fort Peck Community College

Montana

Little Big Horn College

Montana

Salish Kootenai College

Montana

Stone Child College

Nebraska

Little Priest Tribal College

Nebraska

Nebraska Indian Community College

New Mexico

Institute of American Indian Arts

New Mexico

Navajo Technical University

New Mexico

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute

North Dakota

Cankdeska Cikana Community College

North Dakota

Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College

North Dakota

Sitting Bull College

North Dakota

Turtle Mountain Community College

North Dakota

United Tribes Technical College

North Carolina

University of North Carolina at Pembroke

Oklahoma

Bacone College

Oklahoma

College of the Muscogee Nation

Oklahoma

Pawnee Nation College

South Dakota

Oglala Lakota College

South Dakota

Sinte Gleska University

South Dakota

Sisseton Wahpeton College

Washington

Northwest Indian College

Wisconsin

College of Menominee Nation

Wisconsin

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa College

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.

STATE

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Alaska

Alaska Pacific University

Alaska

Ilisagvik College

Alaska

University of Alaska Fairbanks, Interior Alaska Campus

Hawaii

Chaminade University of Honolulu

Hawaii

University of Hawai’i, Hawai’i Community College

Hawaii

University of Hawai’i, Honolulu Community College

Hawaii

University of Hawai’i, Kapi’olani Community College

Hawaii

University of Hawai’i, Kaua’i Community College

Hawaii

University of Hawai’i, Leeward Community College

Hawaii

University of Hawai’i, Maui College

Hawaii

University of Hawai’i at West O’ahu

Hawaii

University of Hawai’i, Windward Community College

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.

STATE

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Alabama

Alabama State University

Alabama

Auburn University

Alaska

University of Alaska Fairbanks

Arkansas

Arkansas Tech University

Arkansas

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

Arkansas

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

California

California State University, Channel Islands

California

California State University, Sacramento

California

Loyola Marymount University

California

Marymount California University

California

University of California, Riverside

California

University of California, Santa Barbara

California

University of San Francisco

Connecticut

University of Bridgeport

Connecticut

University of Connecticut

District of Columbia

American University

Florida

The University of Tampa

Florida

University of Central Florida

Georgia

Georgia Southwestern State University

Georgia

Piedmont College

Hawaii

University of Hawai’i at Mānoa

Idaho

Boise State University

Illinois

DePaul University

Illinois

School of the Art Institute of Chicago

Illinois

Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Indiana

Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis

Kentucky

Eastern Kentucky University

Kentucky

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Louisiana

Grambling State University

Maryland

Carroll Community College

Maryland

St. Mary’s College of Maryland

Maryland

University of Maryland, College Park

Massachusetts

Boston College

Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College

Massachusetts

Simmons University

Massachusetts

University of Massachusetts Boston

Massachusetts

Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Michigan

Lake Superior State University

Michigan

Michigan Technological University

Michigan

University of Michigan–Dearborn

Minnesota

Carleton College

Mississippi

University of Mississippi

Missouri

Missouri State University

Missouri

University of Missouri–Kansas City

Nevada

University of Nevada, Reno

New Jersey

Monmouth University

New Jersey

Rutgers University, Camden

New Jersey

Saint Peter’s University

New York

Cornell University

New York

Nazareth College of Rochester

New York

The New School

North Carolina

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

North Carolina

North Carolina Central University

North Carolina

University of North Carolina, Greensboro

Ohio

Cuyahoga Community College

Ohio

The Ohio State University

Oklahoma

Tulsa Community College

Oregon

Portland Community College

Pennsylvania

Allegheny College

Pennsylvania

Lafayette College

Pennsylvania

Shippensburg University

South Carolina

Presbyterian College

South Carolina

Winthrop University

Tennessee

Tusculum University

Texas

Angelo State University

Texas

Midwestern State University

Texas

Texas A&M University

Texas

Texas Lutheran University

Texas

Texas State University

Texas

The University of Texas at El Paso

Utah

Salt Lake Community College

Vermont

Champlain College

Virginia

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Washington

Seattle University

Washington

University of Washington, Tacoma

Wisconsin

Madison Area Technical College

Wyoming

University of Wyoming

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.

STATE

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Alabama

Alabama A&M University

Alabama

Alabama State University

Alabama

Bishop State Community College

Alabama

Gadsden State Community College

Alabama

J.F. Drake State Community and Technical College

Alabama

Lawson State Community College

Alabama

Miles College

Alabama

Oakwood University

Alabama

Selma University

Alabama

Shelton State Community College

Alabama

Stillman College

Alabama

Talladega College

Alabama

Trenholm State Community College

Alabama

Tuskegee University

Arkansas

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

Arkansas

Arkansas Baptist College

Arkansas

Philander Smith College

Arkansas

Shorter College

Delaware

Delaware State University

District of Columbia

University of the District of Columbia

District of Columbia

Howard University

Florida

Bethune–Cookman University

Florida

Edward Waters College

Florida

Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University

Florida

Florida Memorial University

Georgia

Albany State University

Georgia

Clark Atlanta University

Georgia

Fort Valley State University

Georgia

Interdenominational Theological Center

Georgia

Morehouse College

Georgia

Morehouse School of Medicine

Georgia

Morris Brown College (unaccredited until at least October 2020; up for candidacy)

Georgia

Paine College

Georgia

Savannah State University

Georgia

Spelman College

Kentucky

Kentucky State University

Kentucky

Simmons College of Kentucky

Louisiana

Dillard University

Louisiana

Grambling State University

Louisiana

Southern University at New Orleans

Louisiana

Southern University at Shreveport

Louisiana

Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

Louisiana

Xavier University of Louisiana

Maryland

Bowie State University

Maryland

Coppin State University

Maryland

University of Maryland Eastern Shore

Maryland

Morgan State University

Mississippi

Alcorn State University

Mississippi

Coahoma Community College

Mississippi

Hinds Community College

Mississippi

Jackson State University

Mississippi

Mississippi Valley State University

Mississippi

Rust College

Mississippi

Tougaloo College

Missouri

Harris–Stowe State University

Missouri

Lincoln University of Missouri

North Carolina

Barber–Scotia College

North Carolina

Bennett College

North Carolina

Elizabeth City State University

North Carolina

Fayetteville State University

North Carolina

Johnson C. Smith University

North Carolina

Livingstone College

North Carolina

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

North Carolina

North Carolina Central University

North Carolina

Shaw University

North Carolina

St. Augustine’s University

North Carolina

Winston-Salem State University

Ohio

Central State University

Ohio

Payne Theological Seminary

Ohio

Wilberforce University

Oklahoma

Langston University

Pennsylvania

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania

Lincoln University

South Carolina

Allen University

South Carolina

Benedict College

South Carolina

Claflin University

South Carolina

Clinton College

South Carolina

Denmark Technical College

South Carolina

Morris College

South Carolina

South Carolina State University

South Carolina

Voorhees College

Tennessee

American Baptist College

Tennessee

Fisk University

Tennessee

Knoxville College

Tennessee

Lane College

Tennessee

LeMoyne–Owen College

Tennessee

Meharry Medical College

Tennessee

Tennessee State University

Texas

Huston–Tillotson University

Texas

Jarvis Christian College

Texas

Paul Quinn College

Texas

Prairie View A&M University

Texas

Southwestern Christian College

Texas

St. Philip’s College

Texas

Texas College

Texas

Texas Southern University

Texas

Wiley College

U.S. Virgin Islands

University of the Virgin Islands

Virginia

Hampton University

Virginia

Norfolk State University

Virginia

Virginia State University

Virginia

Virginia Union University

Virginia

Virginia University of Lynchburg

West Virginia

Bluefield State College

West Virginia

West Virginia State University

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.

STATE

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

ACCREDITATION

Alabama

Columbia Southern University

Nationally

Arizona

Brighton College

Nationally

Arizona

Dunlap-Stone University

Nationally

Arizona

Harrison Middleton University

Nationally

Arizona

National Paralegal College

Nationally

Arizona

Penn Foster College

Nationally

California

Abraham Lincoln University

Nationally

California

Anaheim University

Nationally

California

California Coast University

Nationally

California

California Intercontinental University

Nationally

California

California Southern University

Regionally

California

Henley-Putnam School of Strategic Security, National American University

Regionally

California

University of the People

Nationally

California

Westcliff University

Regionally

Colorado

American Sentinel University

Regionally

Colorado

Aspen University

Nationally

Colorado

Holmes Institute, School of Consciousness Studies

Nationally

Colorado

McKinley College

Nationally

Colorado

U.S. Career Institute

Nationally

Colorado

William Howard Taft University

Nationally

District of Columbia

Quantic School of Business and Technology

Nationally

Georgia

American InterContinental University

Regionally

Georgia

Ashworth College

Nationally

Kansas

Grantham University

Nationally

Louisiana

NationsUniversity

Nationally

Montana

Apollos University

Nationally

Missouri

American Business and Technology University

Nationally

Missouri

City Vision University

Nationally

New Jersey

National Tax Training School

Nationally

New Mexico

EC-Council University

Nationally

New York

New York Institute of Photography

Nationally

Ohio

Lakewood College

Nationally

Oregon

American College of Healthcare Sciences

Nationally

Pennsylvania

Blackstone Career Institute

Regionally

Utah

New Charter University

Nationally

Virginia

American National University

Nationally

Virginia

Atlantic University

Nationally

Virginia

University of Management and Technology

Nationally

West Virginia

Catholic Distance University

Nationally

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.

STATE

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Colorado

Colorado State University, Pueblo

Colorado

Front Range Community College

Colorado

University of Colorado, Boulder

Colorado

University of Colorado, Colorado Springs

Connecticut

Central Connecticut State University

Connecticut

Quinebaug Valley Community College

Delaware

University of Delaware

Florida

Florida Atlantic University

Florida

Palm Beach State College

Florida

University of Florida

Florida

University of West Florida

Georgia

Central Georgia Technical College

Georgia

Chattahoochee Technical College

Georgia

Georgia State University

Georgia

Gwinnett Technical College

Georgia

Savannah Technical College

Georgia

University of Georgia

Georgia

West Georgia Technical College

Indiana

Vincennes University

Kansas

The University of Kansas

Michigan

Delta College

Michigan

Eastern Michigan University

Michigan

Northern Michigan University

Minnesota

West Community and Technical College

Minnesota

Southwest Minnesota State University

Mississippi

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College

Mississippi

Mississippi State University

Mississippi

The University of Southern Mississippi

Ohio

Clark State Community College

Ohio

Cuyahoga Community College

Ohio

Kent State University, Columbiana County

Ohio

Ohio University

Oklahoma

Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City

Maryland

Wor-Wic Community College

New Jersey

Kean University

New Mexico

The University of New Mexico

New York

The City University of New York, College of Staten Island

New York

The City University of New York, York College

New York

State University of New York, Maritime College

New York

State University of New York, Ulster County Community College

North Carolina

Cape Fear Community College

North Carolina

Elizabeth City State University

North Carolina

Fayetteville Technical Community College

North Carolina

North Carolina State University

North Dakota

University of North Dakota

Pennsylvania

University of Pittsburgh

South Dakota

South Dakota School of Mines & Technology

Texas

Angelo State University

Texas

Texas State Technical College

Texas

Texas State University

Texas

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Virginia

Northern Virginia Community College

Virginia

Piedmont Virginia Community College

Virginia

Southwest Virginia Community College

Wisconsin

University of Wisconsin, Whitewater

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.

STATE

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Alabama

Judson College

California

Mills College

California

Mount Saint Mary’s University

California

Scripps College

District of Columbia

Trinity Washington University

Georgia

Agnes Scott College

Georgia

Spelman College

Georgia

Wesleyan College

Indiana

Saint Mary’s College

Maryland

Notre Dame of Maryland University, Undergraduate Women’s College

Massachusetts

Bay Path University

Massachusetts

Mount Holyoke College

Massachusetts

Simmons University, Undergraduate Program

Massachusetts

Smith College, Undergraduate Program

Massachusetts

Wellesley College

Minnesota

College of Saint Benedict

Minnesota

St. Catherine University

Missouri

Cottey College

Missouri

Stephens College

Nebraska

College of Saint Mary

New Jersey

Assumption College for Sisters

New York

Barnard College

New York

Russell Sage College

New York

Stern College for Women, Yeshiva University

North Carolina

Bennett College

North Carolina

Meredith College

North Carolina

Salem College

Ohio

Ursuline College

Pennsylvania

Bryn Mawr College

Pennsylvania

Cedar Crest College

Pennsylvania

Moore College of Art & Design

Virginia

Hollins University

Virginia

Mary Baldwin College for Women, Mary Baldwin University

Virginia

Sweet Briar College

Virginia

Westhampton College, University of Richmond

Wisconsin

Alverno College (some co-ed undergraduate majors)

Wisconsin

Mount Mary University, Undergraduate Program

Next Chapter
7. COLLEGE RANKINGS
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