Hill urges Arkansas governor to match federal support for historically black colleges, universities

U.S. Rep. French Hill (R-AR) last week urged Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson to advance financial support for the state’s four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) by matching federal monies and efforts.

Arkansas Baptist College, Philander Smith College, Shorter College, and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff “have served thousands of young and adult students and helped them achieve their dreams of a college education,” Rep. Hill wrote in a Feb. 28 letter sent to the governor. “These schools provide so much hope to our state by improving our local communities, empowering our students, and growing our economy.”

“I believe it is critical that we continue to invest in these students and provide them with a bright future,” wrote Rep. Hill, who is vice chairman of the bipartisan congressional HBCU Caucus and represents three of Arkansas’s four HBCUs in Congress.

President Donald Trump in February 2017 signed an executive order in support of the nation’s HBCUs that reestablished the White House Initiative on HBCUs and initiated the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs, Rep. Hill reminded the governor.

“Perhaps the most notable and far-reaching component of this order was his missive to 31 federal government agencies to align their institutional missions alongside the HBCUs with which they regularly interact,” wrote Rep. Hill. “Specifically, the agencies are directed to develop annual plans to “strengthen the capacity” of those schools.”

Rep. Hill also noted that the federal government’s support could be “greatly enhanced” if matched at the state and local levels.

“Federal investments alone are not enough to sustain HBCUs for the next few decades,” Hill wrote. “We must have state and local investments not only for financial stability, but also for the ‘look’ of support from people who live, work and play in the same cities as the HBCUs that serve them.”

Rep. Hill urged the governor “to replicate the president’s efforts” by issuing an order directing the state agencies to develop HBCU plans.

“Every student in America deserves the opportunity to succeed,” wrote Rep. Hill.