Commentary: How Spanberger can improve Virginia’s HBCUs

Virginia’s five Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have long served as engines of opportunity for Black students and as pillars of local economic growth. The schools enroll approximately 15,000 students and many of the state’s black graduates have graduated in STEM fields, education, and public service.

The five colleges are:

• Hampton Universitya private institution founded in 1868, is recognized for its programs in business, health sciences and engineering.
• Norfolk Statea public university founded in 1935, focuses on urban research and education.
• Virginia State UniversityIt is a land-grant college dating back to 1882, and focuses on agriculture and teacher preparation.
• Virginia Union UniversityFounded in 1865, it is affiliated with the American Baptist Churches and strong in theology and social work.
• University of Virginia at Lynchburgthe youngest, continues a tradition of faith and community leadership that began in 1886.

I spoke with Kevin Matthews II, founder BuildingBread and Hampton University alumnus, who said, “I am pleased that Virginia’s governor-elect has pledged to support the state’s Black colleges. Black colleges have been an economic engine for the nation that deserves more investment. We will contribute nearly $17 billion to the economy in 2024, producing 70% of all Black doctors and half of all Black dentists while representing only 3% of all Black college students.”

“If it were not for Hampton University, I would not have found a career in finance or become the person I am today. In fact, I found BuildingBread because of the 2010 summer internship program.”

Collectively, these universities not only educate students, but also employ thousands of employees and contribute to regional industries from shipbuilding to information technology.

Building pathways from high school to college

One of Spanberger’s Campaign initiatives Centered around strengthening connections between Virginia’s K-12 schools and their HBCUs. As governor, she could order the Virginia Department of Education to launch the “Black Virginia University Bridge Program,” which connects high schools to nearby campuses through dual enrollment courses, mentoring, and college-readiness counseling.

Such an initiative could target rural and urban areas with low college enrollment rates, giving students the opportunity to earn college credits while in high school. Its first biennial budget, due in early 2026, could include initial funding for scholarships linked to these partnerships, especially for students from low-income backgrounds.

Spanberger could also direct the Virginia Secretary of Education to hold an annual summit with school superintendents and HBCU admissions leaders to track enrollment pipelines and identify barriers. Data from State Council of Higher Education of Virginia (SCHEV) It can guide outreach and show whether new bridges are working.

These steps would formalize what many educators have advocated for years: a clear, supported path for Virginia’s public schools to its historically black colleges.

Create a talent pipeline

Spanberger said she will task her education secretary with working directly with HBCU presidents on an action plan that links these institutions to Virginia’s economic strategy. By hiring a secretary with leadership experience at a black university, she can ensure the plan moves quickly from vision to implementation.

The plan could focus on workforce sectors where Virginia faces shortages (cybersecurity, health care, green energy) and position black undergraduate colleges as training centers. It can link measurable goals, such as higher graduation rates and more partnerships with employers, to the state’s broader economic development goals under the Virginia Economic Development Partnership.

Federal programs already exist to support this work. the Strengthening the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program Distribute $1.34 billion nationwide in 2025. By coordinating with Virginia’s congressional delegation, Spanberger can help the state’s historically black colleges compete for a larger share of that money and use it to build joint research centers or expand training with regional employers.

Such an initiative would make Virginia one of the few states to explicitly integrate black colleges into its workforce development strategy, mirroring efforts seen recently in North Carolina and Maryland.

Addressing financing issues

The financial disparities facing HBCUs are well-documented. general Black land grant institutions across the country are underfunded An estimated $13 billion over the past century, including Virginia State University. Federal officials raised the issue in 2023, urging states to close the gaps.

Spanberger has pledged to confront these disparities head-on. One of the previous suggestions was HBCU Equity Fund ($50 million to $100 million annual line item in the 2026-2028 budget) to support campus renovation, competitive faculty pay, and student scholarships. The box can be designed similarly Maryland Settles with HBCUswhich allocated $577 million over a decade to correct historic funding shortfalls.

To create the fund, Spanberger could commission an independent audit through SCHEV to compare per-student funding at historically black undergraduate colleges with that at other institutions such as Virginia Tech and the University of Virginia. The review’s findings would give lawmakers a data-driven basis for reviewing the state’s higher education funding formula.

Public support appears strong: A 2024 poll found that 78 percent of Virginians favor continued state funding for HBCU operations. With bipartisan support, Spanberger can combine moral urgency with economic realism – arguing that well-resourced black colleges are not only fair, but also essential to the long-term competitiveness of the state’s workforce.

Measure impact

If implemented effectively, Spanberger’s agenda could raise college attainment for blacks in Virginia by 10 to 15 percent during her term, according to some projections. Expanding pipelines and a modern campus will not only benefit students, but will also boost the state’s economy through job creation and talent retention.

For families, these changes may mean increased access to scholarships, clearer paths to earning degrees, and improved facilities. For foundations, it would signal long-overdue recognition that their contributions to Virginia’s prosperity deserve full and fair support.

Spanberger’s success will depend on translating campaign promises into sustainable funding and measurable results. But if they can combine budget clout, executive leadership, and public accountability, Virginia’s black colleges could emerge stronger than at any time in their 150-year history – cementing a more inclusive future for the state’s students and workforce alike.

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