August 3rd 2023.
Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Arkansas, has just taken a momentous step in its history: the transition from college to university. Philander Smith University now stands as the second Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in Arkansas, joining the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff.
Established back in 1877, Philander Smith has been a pivotal force in the founding of the United Negro College Fund and is one of the earliest institutions west of the Mississippi River to educate newly freed Black Americans. Now, the university offers a range of opportunities to its nearly 1,000 students, with 20 majors to choose from.
But this transition to university status will allow Philander Smith to provide even more academic and research opportunities than before, diversifying its academic fields. With the new title, the university now offers a master’s in Business Administration and hopes to expand into additional degree programs for both graduate and undergraduate students.
This name change is not to be taken lightly. To quote Dr. Cynthia A. Bond Hopson, the Interim President and CEO of the university, “That one word means that we are moving forward. It means we’re offering a different level of excellence.” The dream of the founders for Philander Smith to provide formal higher education to train preachers and teachers is being fully realized.
The transition to university status is not only a momentous achievement for Philander Smith, but also for the HBCU movement as a whole. Black students are now being offered opportunities and access to industries far beyond what some could have imagined. Philander Smith University is proud to join the mission of empowering Black students to achieve their dreams.
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