On April 23, President Donald J. Trump issued an executive order titled, White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, that significantly reshapes federal engagement with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This order revokes a Biden-era initiative and reinstates a White House-led framework, emphasizing excellence, innovation, and long-term viability, while notably omitting references to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). As leaders of institutions of higher education, understanding the nuances of this order is crucial for strategic planning and alignment with federal priorities.
Key Features of the Executive Order
The executive order establishes a new White House Initiative on HBCUs within the Executive Office of the President. This initiative is designed to enhance HBCUs' capacity to deliver high-quality education and to foster private-sector partnerships, institutional development, and workforce preparation in high-growth industries such as technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and finance.
- White House-Led Initiative: The initiative will prioritize cross-sector coordination to support campus operations, student development, and workforce readiness. It aims to address barriers to HBCUs receiving federal and state grant dollars and to improve their competitiveness for research and development funding.
- Establishes the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs: The order establishes a board within the U.S. Department of Education (ED), comprised of leaders from philanthropy, education, business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, private foundations, and current HBCU presidents.
- Private-Sector Engagement: Expanded partnerships with the private sector are encouraged, focusing on technology, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing sectors. This engagement is intended to create new opportunities for student programming and institutional growth.
- Infrastructure and Fiscal Stability: The order emphasizes the importance of infrastructure modernization and fiscal stability, including upgraded technology and institutional planning support.
- Implementation of the HBCU PARTNERS Act: The initiative supports the implementation of the 2020 HBCU PARTNERS Act, with an emphasis on agency coordination to encourage HBCU participation in federal programs and grants.
- Annual White House Summit: An annual White House Summit on HBCUs will be convened to foster collaboration and address key priorities for HBCU success.
Implications for HBCU Leaders
The order sets an ambitious agenda while steering clear of terms and frameworks that characterized prior administrations' support for HBCUs. It promotes a model of institutional excellence grounded in workforce alignment, private partnerships, and modernization, emphasizing agency accountability through annual White House reporting.
Opportunities and Challenges:
- Opportunities: The order presents new opportunities for engagement and partnerships, particularly in high-growth industries. It also offers a platform for HBCUs to enhance their capabilities and competitiveness for federal funding.
- Challenges: The departure from DEI-centered support raises questions about funding access and regulatory engagement. HBCU leaders must navigate these changes while ensuring alignment with the new policy language around innovation, infrastructure, and workforce needs.
Next Steps for HBCU Leaders to Consider
In the coming months, HBCU leaders and other stakeholders should take a proactive approach in evaluating how this policy shift may impact their institutions. Here are some recommended actions:
- Review Institutional Goals: Ensure alignment with the new policy language around innovation, infrastructure, and workforce needs.
- Engage with Federal Channels: Participate in shaping the new initiative and President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs, particularly in anticipation of the forthcoming White House HBCU Summit.
- Assess Internal Systems: Prepare for increased scrutiny on fiscal management, technological capacity, and measurable outcomes.
- Reexamine Partnerships: Identify opportunities for expanded student programming in priority sectors.
- Monitor Legal Developments: Stay informed about litigation and policy changes that may impact federal funding and compliance expectations.
Broader Context and Legal Considerations
This executive order reflects a broader redefinition of federal education policy, moving away from equity-based frameworks. However, this approach is facing legal challenges, particularly regarding DEI programming and civil rights enforcement. Multiple federal courts have issued injunctions against the ED's directives, suggesting there may be legal limits to how far the administration can push its reinterpretation of civil rights statutes.
BDO’s Final Takeaway
The administration's reboot of the federal HBCU initiative offers institutions new opportunities for engagement while creating new uncertainties around longstanding federal commitments. As implementation begins, HBCU leaders should prepare for a changed federal landscape, one that reorients support around fiscal strength, workforce development, and performance benchmarks. For more information, institutions are encouraged to contact relevant advisors or legal experts.
By staying informed and proactive, HBCU leaders can navigate this new federal policy and regulatory approach effectively, ensuring their institutions continue to thrive and contribute to the nation's economic and educational success.