Historically Black Colleges and Universities are not excluded from finding themselves on the receiving end of state resources but may believe that they are facing an unwinnable feat in today's political climate. At conferences, alumni events, and dinner tables across the country, there is a common consensus that HBCUs are being left behind in discussions regarding investments in higher education. While there are substantial funding disparities nationwide in comparison to traditional institutions, states like Florida have continued to make significant investments in the HBCUs throughout the state – both public and private.
The key to these large investments is not capitulation but rather knowing and understanding their state's political climate and interests; a key component to playing the political long game that many HBCUs across the country are missing is a comprehensive, politically durable government affairs department within the Office of the President.
Government affairs, the practice of managing engagement between an organization and elected officials and regulatory agencies, is an integral component to being successful within the legislative process. Your government affairs professional should be engaging, thoughtful, and proactive, as they serve as a necessary conduit for institutional success legislatively. This individual is charged with one of the most important, yet unspoken, roles on the campus: creating impactful and long-lasting relationships with elected officials across all levels of government to best communicate the university's needs. The relationships, shaped largely by the institution's reputation and visibility, can translate into valuable resources and legislative advocates that not only understand the university's goals but see the value in investing not as an HBCU, but as an educational pillar in the community in which it serves.
Studies show that HBCUs account for 19% of STEM degrees earned by Black students, 80% of Black judges, and 50% of Black lawyers. Despite making up only 3% of the nation’s institutions of higher education, HBCUs account for nearly 50,000-degree conferrals annually with a large portion of those graduates entering the workforce in their respective fields upon graduation conferral.
These historical institutions, much like their more traditional peers, are agents of social mobility, a distinct characteristic in determining return on investment, and an evaluator of socioeconomic status within a society. The ability to convey these details requires an around-the-clock professional that can align institutional priorities with the state's interests in collaboration with your external lobbyist(s); in other words, your government affairs professional must be fluent in buying what elected officials are selling. With firsthand knowledge of the university, this individual should be able to speak to the ongoing challenges pervading students across the campus, the opportunities that the university wishes to engage in, and the success of the institution both statewide and nationally. These factors not only provide key details about the vitality of the institution but provide elected officials with necessary context about your institution.
The legislative process is complex and always evolving; becoming successful within the process is much more of a marathon than a sprint. The current political landscape has proven that relationships between elected officials and institutions must be cultivated intentionally and strategically. For HBCUs across the country, hiring an internal government affairs professional creates the institutional capacity to build and maintain these relationships beyond the legislative season and compete for resources amongst their peers. Investing in a government relations professional is not an immediate fix to institutional woes, but rather a long-term investment in your institution's ability to anticipate policy changes, identify opportunities for faculty and students, and position itself as an ongoing partner with the state.
