In accordance with the authority granted to me as President by the Constitution and laws of the United States, I hereby issue the following order:
Section 1. Purpose
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) play a crucial role in helping American students achieve prosperity and wellbeing. They serve as a vital pathway to fulfilling careers and improved lives. This order aims to build on the efforts initiated during my first term to enhance the significance and influence of HBCUs, which stand as prominent pillars of educational excellence and economic opportunity, nurturing the next generation of leaders across various sectors, including business, government, academia, and the military.
Sec 2. Policy
The policy of my Administration is to bolster HBCUs by: unlocking America’s full potential; creating enhanced opportunities in higher education; delivering the highest-quality education; ensuring equitable access to Federal programs; empowering college graduates to advance the common good both domestically and globally; and increasing our Nation’s competitiveness on the world stage.
Sec 3. White House Initiative on HBCUs
(a) The White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (the Initiative) is hereby established within the Executive Office of the President, led by an Executive Director appointed by the President.
(b) The Initiative will collaborate with federal agencies, the President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs as outlined in section 4 of this order, private employers, educational associations, philanthropic organizations, and other stakeholders to enhance HBCUs’ ability to deliver top-tier education to a growing student body. The Initiative has two primary objectives:
(i) to amplify the private sector’s involvement, including that of private foundations, in:
(A) strengthening HBCUs through improved institutional planning, financial stability, and management;
(B) modernizing institutional infrastructure, particularly through technology, to ensure these institutions can thrive in the long term;
(C) creating professional development opportunities for HBCU students, thereby contributing to a skilled workforce in high-demand sectors such as technology, healthcare, manufacturing, finance, and others;
(ii) to bolster HBCUs’ capacity to serve young Americans by:
(A) supporting the implementation of the HBCU PARTNERS Act (Public Law 116-270), including facilitating the Federal agency planning process mandated by section 4 of that Act (20 U.S.C. 1063d);
(B) advancing the Administration’s key priorities for promoting innovation and excellence at HBCUs in consultation with leaders, representatives, students, and alumni;
(C) encouraging public-private partnerships and private-sector initiatives to create centers of academic research and excellence within HBCUs;
(D) enhancing the availability and quality of information regarding HBCUs in the realm of public policy;
(E) sharing best practices in administration and programming throughout the HBCU community;
(F) initiating efforts to improve student success and retention at HBCUs, focusing on college affordability, degree completion, campus modernization, and infrastructure enhancements;
(G) collaborating with private sector and educational stakeholders to create a pipeline for students interested in attending HBCUs, while promoting affordable degree completion;
(H) motivating States to provide necessary matching funds for 1890 Land-Grant Institutions;
(I) working with the Department of Agriculture and state governments to develop a framework that addresses barriers to accessing Federal funding, ensuring that HBCUs receive the maximum financial support available;
(J) partnering with agencies to enhance HBCUs’ competitiveness for other sources of Federal research and development funding; and
(K) holding an annual White House Summit on HBCUs to discuss matters related to the Initiative’s missions and functions.
(c) Agency heads are required to support the Initiative by providing necessary information, consistent with applicable laws, to facilitate the Initiative’s functions. Each agency will cover its own costs associated with participation in the Initiative.
Sec 4. President’s Board of Advisors on HBCUs
(a) The President’s Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (the Board) is established in the Department of Education. The Board will fulfill its mission as outlined in section 5 of the HBCU PARTNERS Act (20 U.S.C. 1063e), comprising representatives from various sectors including philanthropy, education, business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and current HBCU presidents.
(b) The Board will advise the President through the Initiative on matters specified in section 5(c) of the HBCU PARTNERS Act (20 U.S.C. 1063e(c)).
(c) The Department of Education will provide funding and administrative support for the Board, in accordance with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. To the extent that chapter 10 of title 5, United States Code (commonly known as the Federal Advisory Committee Act), applies to the Board, the functions of the President under that Act—except for those in sections 6 and 14—shall be performed by the Secretary of Education, following guidelines issued by the Administrator of General Services.
Sec 5. Accountability and Implementation
(a) The Executive Director of the Initiative will present an annual progress report to the President, summarizing the Federal Government’s impact on HBCUs and offering recommendations for enhancement.
Sec 6. Revocations
Executive Order 14041, issued on September 3, 2021 (White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and Universities), is hereby revoked. Within 14 days of this order, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall dissolve the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions Advisory Council.
Sec 7. General Provisions
(a) For the purposes of this order, “historically black colleges and universities” refers to institutions listed in 34 C.F.R. 608.2.
(b) This order does not impair or affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to any executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget concerning budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(c) This order will be implemented in accordance with applicable law and subject to available appropriations.
(d) This order is not intended to, nor does it, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 23, 2025.
