Beyond the Mission: Institutional Strain and the Human Cost of Student Support at HBCUs

• In Event: Centering Equity and Belonging: Transforming Outcomes Across Higher Education

Abstract

This paper examines how faculty and staff at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) support students’ basic needs, with particular attention to mental health and well-being. Guided by Strayhorn’s theory of sense of belonging, this study draws on interviews and focus groups conducted across six residential, research-intensive HBCUs. While the broader project included students, this paper focuses specifically on data from faculty and staff. Findings reveal a persistent organizational tension: as student needs increase, faculty and staff are expected to meet growing demands within under-resourced and fragmented institutional structures. Despite these challenges, participants expressed a deep commitment to holistic student care and emphasized the need for more coordinated and sustainable support systems.

Authors

• Jorge Burmicky, Howard University

• Arsene Frederic, Howard University

• Darieon Laurell McFadden, Howard University

• Erinn Carter, Howard University

• Kathleen M. Rzucidlo, Howard University