Princeton-HBCU/MSI Partnerships

The Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity supports Princeton administrative offices and academic departments in identifying and enabling meaningful, sustainable, reciprocal partnerships with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). In order to avoid uncoordinated outreach, before contacting an HBCU/MSI interested parties are strongly encouraged to consult Kevin Hudson, associate director of diversity and college opportunity. Additionally, Kevin Hudson is the point of contact for HBCU and MSI community members seeking to learn more about opportunities for partnership with the Princeton community.

Defining Minority Serving Institutions and Historically Black Colleges & Universities

Minority serving institutions (MSIs) are a vital part of U.S. higher education, providing access to college for millions of students of color, many of whom are from low-income backgrounds and are the first in their family to attend college. In the fall of 2016, these institutions collectively enrolled over 5 million undergraduate and graduate students and numbered over 700. Of this number, almost half (45.3 percent) were public two-year institutions. There are seven categories of MSI as defined by Title III of the Higher Education Act of 1965.

Categories of MSIs

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU): Institutions founded prior to the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that were created primarily to educate African Americans.
Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI): Institutions that do not meet the legal definition of HBCUs, but primarily serve African Americans. Eligibility is based on serving an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which African American students constitute at least 40%.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSI): Institutions that serve an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which Latino/a/x students constitute at least 25%.
Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCU): Institutions of higher education which are formally controlled, or have been formally sanctioned, or chartered, by the governing body of a Native American tribe.
Native American Non-Tribal Institutions (NANTI): Institutions other than TCUs that serve an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which Native American students constitute at least 10%.
Alaskan Native- or Native Hawaiian-Serving Institutions (ANNHI): Institutions that serve an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which Alaska Native students constitute at least 20% or Hawaiian Native students constitute at least 10%.
Asian American- and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISI): Institutions that serve an undergraduate population that is both low income (at least 50% receiving Title IV needs-based assistance) and in which Asian American or Native American Pacific Islander students constitute at least 10%.