Students Earn Scholarships, Connect with HBCUs at Black College Expo

More than 2,000 high school students from across San Diego County connected with representatives from more than 30 historically Black colleges and universities, as well as UC and Cal State schools, at the Sixth Annual San Diego Black College Expo college fair on Jan. 26.

There were thousands of dollars in scholarships awarded, and many students were accepted on the spot to one or more colleges. More than 3,000 registered for the event, which included students, parents, and school staff. 

Students from districts across San Diego County, including from the San Diego County Office of Education’s Juvenile Court and Community Schools (JCCS), San Pasqual Academy (SPA), and Monarch School, attended the in-person event.

SPA students Princess Galvan and Kaylie Thaxton-Barney attended the event and are considering attending a HBCU.  

Galvan said she is willing to go anywhere in the country that will support her dream of becoming a psychologist to help her community and where there is more representation that aligns with her mixed African American and Mexican heritage. 

Tierra Sibley, a senior at University City High School in the San Diego Unified School District, has submitted applications to five HBCUs and wanted to see if there were scholarships available to those universities.  

“I also wanted to feel the vibe of a whole different scenario of going to college and being around a majority of people like me, going from being a minority in high school. I get to see how it would feel to go to an HBCU,” she said. 

Sibley was one of more than 50 students from University City High School who attended the event. 

Sophomore Kimberly Vincent, who is president of Black Student Union (BSU), was there to gather information to bring back to other members of the BSU. 

“We want to encourage more Black students to go to college and highlight the importance of Black education,” she said. 

The free event was organized by the National College Resources Foundation (NCRF) in partnership with the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) to bring opportunities for students in the region.

“Our mission is to make sure every child gets what they need and deserve and this expo helps fulfill that mission," said Dr. Paul Gothold, San Diego County Superintendent of Schools. “Thousands of students had the opportunity to learn about colleges they may not have been familiar with, gain acceptance on the spot, get assistance with financial aid applications, and earn scholarships. All in one place. It was a tremendous day.”

Multiple seminars were offered on topics, including how to find money for college, differences between high school and college, and why attend a historically black college and university. Assistance on filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid was also available throughout the expo.

“The San Diego County Office of Education has been our partner for over six years. Dr. Gothold, JCCS Executive Director Tracy Thompson, and the SDCOE team are on a mission like NCRF to change trajectories of underserved students' lives and it’s so exciting to be on this mission together,” said NCRF Founder and CEO Dr. Theresa Price.

The Black College Expo was developed more than 20 years ago to empower underrepresented students and help them with access to higher education. NCRF has helped over 500,000 students get into college, and helped students connect with over $1 billion in scholarships and grants.