After former President Donald Trump lost his attempt at a second term in the White House in 2020, Americans saw a slew of political firsts including his own criminal indictments, an attempted coup on the U.S. Capital, and the first Black, South Asian woman and Howard University alumna to serve as vice president of the United States.
Now, Trump faces Vice President Kamala Harris following President Joe Biden’s decision to drop out of the 2024 presidential race, and American voters are left with a slightly different choice that may, once again, make history.
“I know firsthand that our Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are centers of academic excellence,” Harris said in a statement regarding the Biden-Harris Administration’s investments in these institutions.
Harris also detailed the support she has provided for HBCUs.
“That is why President Biden and I have delivered an unprecedented $16 billion to our nation’s HBCUs,” she said. “This historic investment is transformative in its scope, encompassing the support of cutting-edge research, long overdue renovations, the provision of mental health resources, and the assurance that students have access to every opportunity to thrive.”
Being that there is a possibility for the first Black woman to become president, and the first alumni of an HBCU to take the presidential seat, this is also a very crucial moment that has caused many HBCUs to evaluate not only the impact of a Harris victory, but also an impact of a Trump victory as well.
Sophomore political science major at Howard University and Potomac, Maryland native, Bailey Reed said, “The current state of politics is undeniably unique and there are many attributes that draw in students on HBCU campuses.”
A possible outcome of a Trump victory may have to do with Trump’s advocacy for HBCUs.
During his presidency, he signed the FUTURE Act. According to Trump’s White House Archives website, Trump “made a permanent commitment of $255 million in annual funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and he increased funding for the Federal Pell Grant program” as a result of this act.
Trump also signed an executive order on HBCUs signaling his commitment to them, saying that those schools will be “an absolute priority of the White House.”
In spite of financial prosperity, a Trump win may lead to the implementation of significant changes in politics that his political colleagues support. One of these changes being what is widely known as Project 2025.
“Former President Trump and the overall GOP’s threatening rhetoric against vulnerable demographics led to increased political violence being perpetrated by supporters of the party during and after Trump’s administration,” Courtney McClain, a graduate student from North Carolina studying political science at Howard University, said.
While Trump himself has claimed that he is not particularly affiliated with what is known as Project 2025, a plan by the Heritage Foundation, aimed at restructuring the federal government, many implications of this plan might just undo all of the work Trump has taken credit for when it comes to enfranchising HBCUs.
A part of the Project 2025 plan involves the reduction in federal oversight and regulations could lead to substantial cuts in government funding from the Department of Education, which is a major concern for HBCUs.
Many of these institutions heavily rely on federal funds to operate efficiently and provide scholarships, maintain facilities and support academic programs. Any reduction in funding may negatively impact their ability to offer scholarships and financial aid, ultimately making higher education less accessible for low-income students.
Besides separation or ignorance, Trump has seemed to express outright disapproval of this plan.
“Some of the things they’re saying are absolutely ridiculous and abysmal,” he said.
However, CNN revealed that at least 140 people connected to both Project 2025 and the first Trump administration were involved, including six cabinet secretaries who contributed to or helped draft parts of the playbook.
Meaning even if Trump doesn’t particularly agree, members of the Republican caucus could very well feel emboldened to follow through with this plan.
Freshman civil engineering major from Houston, Akunna Njoku said, “The implications of the policies under Project 2025 would 100 percent change the lives of minorities and those within marginalized groups across the country.”
With the possible implications of a Trump win impacting HBCUs, it would make sense to assume that the stakes for this election have been raised.
Njoku believes that student engagement and activism on HBCU campuses will overcome any challenges to keep their institutions thriving.
“I definitely believe that these political developments will increase student activism on campus, not only the overall amount of students engaging in events but also the frequency,” Njoku said.
The road to this upcoming election has been eventful between voters carefully considering their options, HBCUs weighing out the possibilities of what could happen if either candidate were to win, and even the recent change that has resulted in Harris taking Biden’s place.
“Being that this is the first time a lot of students can vote and one of the presidential candidates is a Howard alumni, I’m looking forward to seeing the enthusiasm on campus,” Reed said.
Copy edited by Camiryn Stepteau
