Virginia State University (VSU) is making history once again—this time in the classroom. The university has officially introduced a brand-new course titled “The HBCU Family,” becoming the first institution in the country to offer an HBCU Studies course housed in a Family & Consumer Sciences department.
Offered under the course code FACS 425, the class explores the unique ways that historically Black colleges and universities function as extended families. From legacy enrollment and campus traditions to peer support systems and generational impact, the course takes a deeper look into how HBCUs shape the cultural and emotional lives of Black students and families.
“This new academic offering reflects our commitment to being a preeminent HBCU,” said Dr. Jada Brooks, the interim chair of the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences, who will also lead the course.
This isn’t the first time VSU has broken ground in this space. Back in 2020, Dr. Cheryl Mango introduced HIST 349: HBCU History, recognized as the first official interdisciplinary HBCU Studies course in the nation. Now, with the addition of The HBCU Family, VSU is expanding the lens—this time from a family systems and cultural perspective.
Why This Course Matters
HBCUs aren’t just institutions—they’re family. From the moment students step on campus, they’re entering a legacy that spans generations. This course goes beyond statistics and history to examine the lived experience of HBCU life—how institutions nurture, protect, and uplift their students like family would.
Students enrolled in the course will engage with topics such as:
- Multigenerational HBCU attendance
- Campus rituals and traditions
- Support systems within HBCU communities
- How HBCUs impact Black family structure and values
It’s an academic deep dive into the emotional and cultural ties that make these institutions so powerful.
A National Example
The course will also support the work of VSU’s National HBCU Studies Data Collection and Research Center, which focuses on preserving and elevating scholarship around Black colleges. With both HIST 349 and FACS 425 in its catalog, Virginia State is positioning itself as a national leader in formal HBCU Studies—bridging disciplines like history, sociology, and now, family sciences.
The Bigger Picture
Virginia State’s new course isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about shifting narratives and reclaiming academic space. As HBCUs continue to gain national attention, it’s critical that the people who live, work, and graduate from these institutions are also writing the books, teaching the courses, and framing the research.
And VSU is making sure that happens.
The course launches in Fall 2025, and enrollment is now open to students interested in exploring the deeper meaning behind HBCU culture and community.
Bottom Line
Virginia State University is proving once again that HBCUs don’t just make history—they teach it. With the launch of The HBCU Family, the school isn’t just expanding its curriculum—it’s expanding the way we study, understand, and honor Black educational spaces.
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