The Impact of the COVID 19 Pandemic on Students Attending a HBCU

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are vital in higher education. HBCUs offer greater access to educational opportunities specifically for underrepresented students, while having a unique campus culture and community. In the spring of 2020, coronavirus affected colleges and universities immediately upon the identification of cases in the United States. Universities transitioned to online instruction while also removing students from campus. For some students attending HBCUs, this experience was challenging, as they were navigating personal and family job losses, the lack of technology resources for online learning, and increased mental health challenges. The current study utilized qualitative research methods to explore the impact of the pandemic on 21 HBCU students. Findings include the impact of coronavirus on (a) HBCU experiences; (b) family employment and health; and (c) mental health and motivation.