By Voice & Viewpoint Staff
The first of 11 Historically Black Colleges & Universities Fall Caravan stops took place right here at San Diego Mesa College on October 28th as part of the caravan’s tour across California, and the only one in San Diego County. From 10am-1pm the caravan featured HBCU representatives from across the country who hosted the college fair for interested high school students, transfer students, and community college students.
The cloudy day featured games, food, music, and representatives providing information about transfer requirements and support services like financial aid and counseling for interested wide-eyed students excited to get a head start on their future.
Ashanti T. Hands, President of San Diego Mesa College, was present at the event, inspiring students to take advantage of the wonderful opportunity presented by the California Community Colleges (CCC) to bring information about the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caravan event to students in our county.
“HBCUs offer a rich history of academic excellence and culturally affirming and nurturing environments that can be a transformative next step. We strongly encourage students to explore the unique opportunities that HBCUs from across the country offer, as they consider their next steps in higher education,” said Ashanti T. Hands.
Some HBCUs in attendance were Texas Southern University, Talladega College in Alabama, Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, Coppin State University in Maryland, Baltimore, Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia, Xavier University of Louisiana, Wiley College in Marshall, Texas, Lincoln University Missouri, Arizona State University, and more.
Students from all across San Diego County attended the college fair, some from Oceanside and others from local high schools, all hoping to learn about what is needed to attend an HBCU, some gaining an opportune advantage by speaking directly to admissions staff before the Caravan left to inspire more students in California.
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