When I attended college during the entire Obama administration, the atmosphere for Black students felt different. While challenges existed, there was a growing sense of possibility: federal investments in historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) were increasing, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs were expanding, and student loan affordability was being taken seriously. There was a shift toward making higher education more equitable, and we were hopeful.

Fast forward to today, and there’s a fervent backlash against anything that contains the letters DEI. The current administration’s policies have reversed many of the advancements made, putting Black students at increased risk. As Trump pushes forward on his campaign promises laid out in Project 2025 — including an education agenda that will undoubtedly leave millions of students in the rearview — higher education will become less accessible and more of a financial burden, jeopardizing the academic, mental, and emotional well-being of Black students across the nation.

While coordinated attacks on racial equity are just one of many strategies in Trump’s sprint to gut federal agencies that serve crucial roles in the function of our democracy, it also poses a danger for Black students in higher education who now face being on campuses where support structures are being removed, history is being censored, and economic barriers are growing steeper.

Turning Back the Clock on DEI

We’re witnessing a national movement to eliminate DEI programs in higher education. What the administration’s vow to “end wokeness” really represents is a call for an end to tailored support systems that will have long-term effects on campus racial climate, academic access, and professional success for Black students.

State bans on DEI programs will lead to the closure of on-campus cultural centers, mentorship programs, workforce recruitment activities on campus and scholarship programs designed to make higher education more accessible to those who are usually left standing on the outside looking in. Despite the pushback that anti-DEI bills have received, colleges and universities are still tasked with reviewing their practices to meet these vague directive requirements.

As a HBCU with a predominantly white student demographic, West Virginia State University (WVSU) is uniquely positioned to navigate the intersection of its mission to serve marginalized communities and the state’s recent anti-DEI executive order. Despite state mandates, university leaders emphasize that promoting diversity remains central to its identity and vision for the future. The underrepresentation of Black students at WVSU, comprising only about 10% of the roughly 3,200 enrollees, can make it difficult to find community and experience a sense of belonging on campus.

This challenge is further magnified by the lack of representation among faculty, which directly impacts student success. When students do not see themselves reflected in their professors, they may struggle to see their own academic and professional trajectories. The elimination of DEI initiatives furthers this issue by dismantling pipeline programs that help recruit and retain diverse faculty.

Broken Promises for HBCUs

But while HBCUs have been inclusive since their inception and never used race-based admissions or hiring practices, they’ve long been underfunded compared to predominantly white institutions (PWIs) by over $13 billion. Trump often flaunts his support for HBCUs,  while refusing to address long-standing funding gaps and releasing a White House directive to freeze federal grants and loans. This abrupt suspension of funds jeopardized essential programs and services at HBCUs, which rely heavily on federal support due to typically smaller endowments.

This is part of a broader pattern: while PWIs are given the resources to weather budget cuts and political attacks on diversity, HBCUs — already operating with less — are left with even fewer options to support their students. Across the country, HBCUs are systemically shortchanged, forced to operate with outdated facilities, underfunded research programs, and fewer financial aid resources for students. Institutions like Gallaudet University and Howard University faced potential revenue losses of up to 85% due to their dependence on federal funds. This not only presents a financial challenge for HBCU’s, but it also threatens the students they serve and reverses decades of progress in creating inclusive educational environments.

By cutting DEI initiatives and failing to invest in HBCUs, these policies create a two-tiered education system – one where Black students face shrinking opportunities and diminished support, while well-funded PWIs will continue to thrive. If left unchecked, this funding gap will worsen racial inequities in higher education, pushing HBCUs further into financial crisis while making it harder for Black students to access quality, affordable education.

The Threat to Economic Mobility

While higher education should be a path to economic mobility, for many Black students, it’s becoming a financial trap. Black students already face higher levels of student loan debt than their white peers, and Trump’s policies threaten to make this crisis even worse. While the Biden administration took steps to ease the burden of student loans through targeted debt cancellation and improvements to income-driven repayment plans, Trump has vowed to end these programs entirely.

If Trump eliminates student debt relief initiatives, Black borrowers who are more likely to rely on federal loans and take on higher debt loads due to the racial wealth gap will be disproportionately impacted. Without these programs, many Black graduates will be forced into decades of repayment, delaying homeownership, wealth-building, and financial stability. The effects of student debt won’t just impact individuals, they will echo across entire communities, widening racial economic disparities for generations to come.

What’s Next for Black Students?

The policies shaping today’s campus racial climate are not just political debates, they have real, lasting effects on the experiences of Black students in higher education. The coordinated efforts to erase diversity programs, defund HBCUs, and eliminate student loan relief are not isolated attacks, they are part of a broader strategy to reverse racial progress and reinforce systemic inequities. If these policies continue unchecked, they will not only limit access to education but also undermine the futures of Black scholars, professionals, and leaders.

But Black students can’t be erased. They have long fought for their place in higher education, and this moment is no different. Advocacy, collective action, and policy change are critical to protecting and expanding educational opportunities. Now is the time for students, educators, institutions, and allies to push back. Higher education should be a pathway to opportunity, not a barrier to success. The future of Black college students and the future of an equitable, thriving society depends on what we do next.