Yet another university has joined with Washtenaw Community College to offer students a pathway to attend historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU).
Representatives from Central State University in Ohio officially signed a partnership during the second annual Washtenaw HBCU Day at the Ann Arbor college.
The day saw more than 400 high school students visiting the campus to learn about WCC’s HBCU Pathway which helps students easily transfer to HBCUs across the United States.
The new addition brought the total HBCUs partnering with WCC to seven, with most offering guaranteed admission, in-state tuition, priority housing consideration, ease of credit transfers, scholarship access, advising and many other support services.
WCC’s HBCU Pathway partners include:
- Alabama A&M
- Alabama State University
- Central State University (Ohio)
- Tuskegee University (Alabama)
- Jackson State University (Mississippi)
- Mississippi Valley State University
- Southern University at New Orleans
WCC President Dr. Rose B. Bellanca welcomed Central State University guests and community leaders at the signing ceremony.
“Washtenaw Community College is committed to student success. This partnership with Central State paves the way for students to achieve their dreams of attending one of our country’s premier HBCUs and to make their mark in the world,” Bellanca said.
Dr. Arletha McSwain, Vice Provost of Access & Enrollment Management representing Central State University’s Interim President, Dr. Alex Johnson, signed the partnership agreement.
“We are thrilled to solidify this HBCU Pathway partnership. Our collaboration with Washtenaw’s students has been ongoing, and we eagerly anticipate this agreement streamlining the transfer process, facilitating more students in achieving their educational aspirations at Central State,” said McSwain.
Located in Wilberforce, Ohio, Central State boasts a storied heritage with its roots beginning at Wilberforce University, the oldest private HBCU in the nation. Since its inception in 1887, Central State has been dedicated to teacher training and vocational education, marking the genesis of a legacy honored today. Evolving over the years, Central State achieved independence and stands as Ohio’s sole public HBCU. It molds leaders in humanities, arts, social sciences, and education while fostering diversity in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Washtenaw HBCU Day
Representatives from all of WCC’s HBCU partner institutions were on hand throughout the day to share information from their schools with more than 400 visiting sophomores, juniors and seniors from Ypsilanti Community Schools, Ann Arbor Public Schools, Lincoln Consolidated Schools and others throughout the county.
This year, HBCU Day culminated in a Central State University Marching Band performance and a “Divine Nine Fraternity & Sorority Stroll Off” in the Community Park on WCC’s campus.
Events of the day were sponsored by a grant from Washtenaw County.