But these days many HBCUs lag behind predominantly White institutions in international engagement. They are less likely to attract foreign students or send their own students abroad. Many are hobbled by weak finances and insufficient personnel. Some do not even have international student offices.
But given the consensus that producing college graduates who are competitive and possess the requisite skills to succeed in a global marketplace is critical, there is growing concern that HBCUs, which award 22 percent of bachelor’s degrees to Black students, are being left behind.
Thus many HBCUs are scrambling to build relationships abroad in an effort to recruit more international students, strengthen foreign student and faculty exchange programs, and explore partnership opportunities abroad.
For most, it’s no easy task. Marybeth Gasman, a professor of higher education at the University of Pennsylvania, says 58 percent of HBCUs offer study abroad programs.
She says many students do not appear to avail themselves of study abroad opportunities, and money may often be a barrier, particularly for students from low-income households. Gasman says the combination of limited financial resources of both the students and many of the colleges impedes efforts to sell the program to students.
Dr. Richard Igwike, interim dean of the College of Business at Dillard University located in New Orleans, which nearly tripled its international student enrollment in the last two years, says the cost of these programs gives many of his students pause.
