NEW PUBLICATION with UNCF!

Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Examining Teacher and School Counselor Strategies for College Readiness and HBCU Exposure for Students

I am excited to share the release of a national report I coauthored with colleagues at the United Negro College Fund (UNCF): Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges: Examining Teacher and School Counselor Strategies for College Readiness and HBCU Exposure for Students.

This study explores an important question in college access work: how teachers and school counselors help students discover and consider Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as pathways to higher education.

Although HBCUs represent a small percentage of U.S. colleges, they produce a disproportionately high number of Black professionals and leaders. Yet many students report limited exposure to HBCUs during the college search process. Our research highlights how educators play a critical role in bridging this awareness gap.

Several key insights emerged. First, exposure matters. Students are far more likely to consider HBCUs when trusted educators introduce these institutions as viable options. Second, teachers and counselors act as gate openers, shaping how students explore college pathways and expanding their understanding of what is possible. Finally, representation and belonging matter. Students often describe HBCUs as spaces where culture, community, and academic excellence intersect.

For me, this work reinforces a powerful truth. Students’ futures often shift because one educator opens a door they did not know existed.

If we want students to make informed college decisions, they must have access to the full landscape of opportunity, including the legacy and impact of HBCUs. Supporting educators in this work helps ensure that more students can see and pursue the pathways where they will truly thrive.

Read the entire report here: https://uncf.org/wp-content/uploads/BreakingBarriers_Report_FINAL.pdf