Chair, Department of Political Science Norfolk State University, United States
Civic engagement has long been a core part of HBCUs, acting as a breeding ground for Black leadership and community advocacy. However, today, most HBCUs produce voters who are influenced more by social media personalities than by experts or politicians. These students are less engaged with traditional political news; have a limited understanding of political institutions, candidates, or issues; and tend to vote based on personality, party cues, identity, or a single issue. This change necessitates reflection on how HBCUs have shifted from being civic incubators to producing low-information voters. This paper examines efforts to rebuild a culture of civic engagement to restore the civic role of HBCUs in national politics. Partnering with leading civic engagement organizations, the plan will integrate civic learning into courses, build community partnerships, and develop student leaders, aiming to revive HBCUs’ legacy of informed civic participation in a challenging democratic climate.
