“If you go to an LCPS college fair you may see one or two–of all the hundreds of colleges represented–one or two HBCUs,” Jennifer Reed said. “This is the chance for us to get as many as we can possibly get to have our kids be exposed to that experience.”
Reed is the Director of School Counseling at Tuscarora High School in Leesburg, and on Saturday, Feb. 1, she—along with a few others—helped to coordinate Loudoun County Public Schools’ 10th Annual HBCU fair.
As prospective students from Rock Ridge and beyond filled in to Tuscarora High School’s main gym, representatives from the likes of Virginia State University, Howard University, Spelman College, and North Carolina Central University awaited them. For many, these historically Black colleges and universities can offer an experience that cannot be paralleled by most predominantly white institutions.
Aniyah McNair, a junior at Rock Ridge High School, echoed this sentiment. “I think for me to go to an HBCU it’d mean a lot more to me,” McNair said. “[I’d be] surrounded by a lot of people who are like me—who are interested in the same things as me.” McNair said she was primarily interested in Virginia State, Bowie State, Howard, and Hampton Universities because of their psychology programs. The HBCU Fair empowers students like McNair to learn more about schools that are often underrepresented at other events.
North Carolina Central University Alumni Coordinator Tracey Marbury highlighted the brilliance and importance of programs at HBCUs. “There are schools here that offer programs in veterinary science, and schools who offer programs that are partnered with NASA,” Marbury said. “We understand that [HBCUs] don’t receive a lot [of exposure] in this area, so it’s important for us to be here every year.” Marbury spoke to many prospective students on Saturday, and she believes it makes an impact.
While it’s hard to obtain concrete statistics since LCPS switched from the college readiness software Naviance to SchooLinks, Reed believes that the fair has drawn more students to HBCUs over the years. “I would definitely say we’ve had an increase in students attending HBCUs since we’ve had the fair here,” Reed said.
Only time will tell what these students will achieve. Until then, the HBCU fair will continue annually, providing a gateway for LCPS students to discover all of their postsecondary education options in hopes of cultivating a fulfilling life beyond high school.