Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kay Hagan last week led the Senate in passage of a bipartisan resolution designating the week of September 24 through September 28 as “National Historically Black Colleges and Universities Week.” Hagan was joined by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) as well as 10 Democrats and 12 Republicans in cosponsoring the resolution recognizing the 105 Historically Black Colleges and Universities  (HBCUs) around the country. 

“I’m proud to lead this resolution recognizing our HBCUs because our future success as a nation depends on making sure that our students are well educated,” Hagan said.  “HBCUs across the country share a common mission of providing a quality education, and they play an integral role in the education of African American students in North Carolina and around the country. I am so proud that North Carolina is home to 10 outstanding HBCUs that are providing excellent academic instruction to our future leaders.” 

For each of the past three years, Hagan and Graham have led the bipartisan HBCU Week resolution in the Senate.  The resolution states that HBCUs “have a rich heritage and have played a prominent role in the history of the United States” and “allow talented and diverse students, many of whom represent under-served populations, to attain their full potential through higher education.” 

North Carolina is home to 10 HBCUs: 

• Bennett College
• Elizabeth City State University
• Fayetteville State University
• Johnson C. Smith University
• Livingstone College
• North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University
• North Carolina Central University
• Shaw University
• St. Augustine's College
• Winston-Salem State University

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