HBCUs Rejoice As Build Back Better Bill Is Passed
HBCUs across the country are celebrating as the House recently passed President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better Bill. This bill will provide additional funding to HBCUs for their STEM programs. In addition, this funding will allow HBCUs to compete with top-tier research colleges and universities that specialize in science and technology programs.
President Joe Biden’s Build Back agenda will provide a total of $10 billion for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) programs at black or minority-serving institutions. With this funding, HBCUs can begin creating high-level and competitive research programs comparable to schools like Harvard, Penn State, Dartmouth, or MIT.
According to NBC News, a spokesperson for the Thurgood Marshall Fund, Harry Williams, stated that no HBCU has attained first-tier research status. First-tier institutions have excelled in research, which can draw in funding and grants from organizations. However, there are some HBCUs that are currently considered second-tier research institutions.
Despite a history of constrained funding, HBCUs have still generated staggering support for Black people pursuing STEM degrees. While HBCUs make up just 3% of all colleges and universities, they have graduated 70% of Black doctors and 30% of Black graduates of science and engineering. Additional funding will serve to bolster the incredible work that HBCUs have been able to do with tighter budgets.
Biden’s bill is revolutionary for black colleges and universities ready to take their STEM programs to the next level to compete with top-tier schools across the country. In addition to the federal funding, the bill could also increase the number of minorities working in STEM jobs. According to Pew Research, only 9% of adult black workers in the United States work STEM-related jobs. With this in mind, HBCUs must be able to draw in more enrollment into their STEM programs.
Now that the bill has been passed, HBCUs can begin planning how to use the funding to improve their institutions. The enhancement of HBCU STEM programs may increase potential funding and grants from other organizations to assist them in their research projects. In addition, job prospects for recent HBCU STEM graduates should see a significant rise as well.