President Donald Trump Feb. 28 signed an executive order titled White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The order begins, “Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have made, and continue to make, extraordinary contributions to the general welfare and prosperity of our country.”
The executive order reestablishes the White House Initiative on HBCUs, and moves it from the Department of Education into the Executive Office of the President. The order also creates an executive director and board of advisors, both appointed by the president, to advise on:
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Improving the identity, visibility, distinctive capabilities, and overall competitiveness of HBCUs;
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Engaging the philanthropic, business, government, military, homeland-security, and education communities in a national dialogue regarding new HBCU programs and initiatives;
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Improving the ability of HBCUs to remain fiscally secure institutions that can assist the nation in achieving its educational goals and in advancing the interests of all Americans;
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Elevating the public awareness of, and fostering appreciation of, HBCUs; and
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Encouraging public-private investments in HBCUs.
The order does not include funding recommendations for HBCUs.
Since 2015, the AAMC has joined the White House Initiative on HBCUs during the National HBCU Week Conference to honor the HBCU All-Stars, a group of students recognized for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and civic engagement.
HBCU medical schools include Howard University College of Medicine, Meharry Medical College School of Medicine, and Morehouse School of Medicine.