Exploring Historically Black College and University Sustainability and Internationalization with Africa - A Study of Selected HBCU Leaders Perspectives

Oct 15, 2026

A former U.S. government senior policy advisor recommended that universities develop an Africa strategy aligned with long-term objectives. This study examines how historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) can engage Africa as a sustainability pathway, sustaining their missions while increasing global impact. Using AutoHBCUology™, a multi-phase mixed-method design, the research highlights sustainability routes shaped by institutional leadership, stability, connectivity, and leadership commitment to internationalization with Africa, including engagement via conferences despite limited fiscal prioritization.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

The African Century: Looking Towards Africa

Educational planning and investment priorities

Collaborative partnerships and exchanges

EXPLORING HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY SUSTAINABILITY AND INTERNATIONALIZATION WITH AFRICA: A STUDY OF SELECTED HBCU LEADERS PERSPECTIVES KELISHA B. GRAVES Virginia State University, U.S.A. NORAN L. MOFFETT Fayetteville State University, U.S.A. ABSTRACT A former United States government senior policy advisor recommended that each university ought to formulate an Africa strategy within its long-term strategic objectives. This study explored the potential for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to further engage with Africa as a sustainability strategy, with an eye toward sustaining their missions and enhancing their global impact. The study utilized AutoHBCUology™, a multi-phase originally constructed mixed methodological design. The findings shed light on the multifaceted landscape ofsustainability pathways and leadership commitment to internationalization with Africa among senior-level leaders at HBCUs. The emphasis on institutional leadership, stability, connectivity, and repositioning as pathways to sustainability underscores the multifaceted approach required to ensure the long-term viability ofHBCUs in an ever-evolving educational landscape. The specific examination ofleadership commitment to internationalization with Africa reveals a strong inclination toward professional high-level engagement, particularly through conferences and discussions with African Ministries of Education and institutions. However, fiscal resource allocation for internationalization with Africa may not be a high priority compared to other considerations. Nevertheless, the commitment to student-related activities, such as encouraging faculty, staff, and students to engage in educational exchanges, signifies a proactive stance toward fostering international experiences with Africa. Despite constraints, targeted Africa engagement may promote HBCU sustainability. Overall, this study aimed to initiate critical dialogue on typically unexplored sustainability dimensions for HBCUs in partnership with African nations. INTRODUCTION Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a vital role in providing higher education opportunities for African Americans in the United States. Established in the 19th century, HBCUs were founded with the mission of educating freed slaves and their descendants. Over the past 150 years, these institutions have endured numerous challenges, but remain critically important centers of culture and learning. As we look ahead to the future, questions arise regarding the sustainability and continued relevance of HBCUs in a changing social landscape. One potential opportunity that holds much promise is for HBCUs to build stronger relationships with Africa. The African Century: Looking Towards Africa The future is African. Africa's rapidly growing youth population represents a significant opportunity for mutually beneficial engagement in view of looming enrollment challenges in the United States. Over the next century, while populations in Europe, Asia, and Northern America grow older, sub-Saharan Africa will thrive as the world’s fountain of youth (Sow, 2018; United Nations, 2019) . Europe, Asia, and Northern America have the oldest populations worldwide Educational Planning | Spring 2024 23 Vol. 31, No. 2 (United Nations, 2019). In Europe, the median age across EU member states is 43 (European Union, 2019) . In Northern America, the median age is 39 (Ausubel, 2020) . Representing the youngest age distribution in the world, the median age in Africa is 19 (United Nations, 2019; Walsh, 2023) . This massive youth boom positions Africa's higher education sector for massive growth to meet the need for advanced skills and training. The continent is positioned to reap a substantial economic dividend from its “youthquake” if this burgeoning workforce is educated and employed productively. Tertiary education remains an urgent human capital development investment prior

FAQs

What is the study’s main focus regarding HBCUs and Africa?

The study investigates how historically black colleges and universities can further engage with Africa as a sustainability strategy while strengthening mission continuity and global impact.

How did the researchers conduct the study?

The study used AutoHBCUology™, described as a multi-phase design originally constructed with mixed methodologies.

What types of internationalization engagement with Africa did senior leaders emphasize?

Leaders showed strong inclination toward high-level professional engagement, especially through conferences and discussions with African Ministries of Education and institutions.

What constraint affected internationalization with Africa according to the findings?

Fiscal resource allocation for internationalization with Africa was not presented as a high priority compared with other considerations, despite support for student-related exchange activities.

Oct 15, 2026

Uploaded by MrHarris58