Understanding HBCU Undergraduates Students’ Basic Needs: A Capacity-Building Study

• In Event: Financial Wellness, Support Networks, and Community Wealth: Providing Access, Persistence, and Equity for College Students

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to understand HBCU undergraduate students’ basic needs while exploring the capacity that HBCUs possess to address such needs. Guided by a basic needs’ services implementation rubric, this paper collected interview and focus group data from two research-intensive HBCUs, totaling 43 participants including undergraduate students, faculty, staff, and senior leaders. Findings indicate that participants experience notable challenges providing timely, accessible, and comprehensive basic needs resources and services with clearly navigable systems and outcomes. Furthermore, findings demonstrate how faculty and staff use various approaches to alleviate stigma associated with utilizing basic needs services, especially considering the stigma that many Black communities face surrounding basic needs services and resources.

Authors

• Kathleen M. Rzucidlo, Howard University

• Darieon Laurell McFadden, Howard University

• Arsene Frederic, Howard University

• Jorge Burmicky, Howard University

• Erinn Carter, Howard University