Rich History, Black Excellence: Touring HBCUs with NC’s Black Student Union
If you can see it, you can be it.
That maxim is the driving force behind North Central English teacher Carla Sanford’s dedication to introducing her students to a world beyond their classroom walls. And it’s why, for the last 18 years, she has spearheaded an effort to take hundreds of students to visit and tour historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the country.
“There’s something to students seeing themselves on campus, imagining themselves there,” she says. “Especially since many would be the first generation of their families to attend. They talk to students, talk to professors, learn about financial aid, admissions. It’s an entry point of information you won’t be able to find on Google.”
After a brief hiatus during COVID, Ms. Sanford’s HBCU trips resumed in October 2024. During Washington Township’s fall break, she took 23 North Central juniors and seniors to Nashville, Tennessee to visit several HBCUs in the area. Many of the students who traveled to Nashville are members of North Central’s Black Student Union (BSU), including senior and BSU Vice President Chayse Jacks.
“This trip was one of the best bonding experiences I’ve had with BSU,” says Chayse. “Being able to see the culture behind these HBCUs, being able to see the student life, campuses and the volunteer opportunities… it was such a rich history that I think everybody enjoyed it, whether or not they were planning on going to those colleges or not.”
Students stayed on the Vanderbilt University campus, and visited HBCUs Meharry Medical College, Fisk University and Tennessee State University. During these visits, students have the opportunity to not only learn about the schools and their histories, but also to explore campus, chat with current students and get a feel for the environment. They also meet and connect with university employees and alumni who can help guide them through their educational journey.
“One of our guides has been employed by both Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University, and connected with one of our students who’s interested in medicine,” she says. “She offered to see her application through the admissions, and told the student that should she decide to attend Tennessee State, she’d have an auntie there.”
As beneficial as these visits are, they are also quite costly. With travel, lodging and meals, the cost comes to nearly $500 per student. To ensure cost is less of a barrier to students who’d like to attend, the Foundation provides an annual grant to subsidize the trip.
But our involvement doesn’t stop there. The Foundation also worked with the North Central Class of 1974 to help them raise additional funds for these trips. The North Central chapter of the BSU was founded by the Class of 1974, giving them a special connection to the organization and its mission. In honor of their 50-year reunion, a group of classmates spearheaded an effort to raise funds to support the BSU and their annual HBCU visit experiences. Thanks to the funding provided by these alumni, the Foundation and additional sponsors, students were able to attend this life-changing trip for only $200 each. And those students made the absolute most of the opportunity.
“I am so proud and pleased at how our North Central students represent themselves on these trips,” she says. “Many of the colleges we visit, when they see our students apply, they want us.”
The desire to have NC grads as part of their student population has led to something practically unheard of in higher education: in-state tuition for out-of-state students.
“Tennessee State University offers North Central students in-state tuition rates,” says Ms. Sanford. “We’ve had several students go there after visiting.”
Chayse is hoping to be one of them.
“I’d love to go to Tennessee State University,” he says. “It felt like home. I felt like everybody around me supported me, wanted the best and wanted Black excellence, which is everything I’m looking for in a college.”
Ms. Sanford hopes to continue these college visits for years to come, and is currently planning a trip for Fall 2025. Through these visits, she hopes more and more students will see themselves on college campuses. And the Foundation will be with her every step of the way.
“Students wouldn’t have been able to have these experiences without the funding,” she says. “Look, I don’t want to cry… but the fact that we are able to make these trips accessible to more students? I’ll be forever grateful.”
Want to help support more programs like this? Donate today and help our Foundation support programs to enhance the educational experience for our students and provide resources for MSDWT teachers and staff.
