Today, the nation’s 105 HBCUs make up just 3% of America’s colleges and universities, yet they produce almost 20% of all African American graduates and 25% of African American graduates in the STEM fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics — the critical industries of the future.

For more than 150 years, HBCUs have been providing diverse learning environments — from students to faculty to administration — ensuring that every student has a chance to succeed.

The student environment fit is very important for student success. A recent report reaffirmed just how important campus climate is to student outcomes. The Gallup-Purdue poll noted that black graduates of HBCUs are significantly more likely to have felt supported while in college and to be thriving afterward than their black peers who graduated from predominantly white institutions.

HBCUs are rooted in faith, community and service. Black churches have long been pillars of the black community and the history and life of black colleges are closely intertwined with faith, values and service to others.