Jimmy Carter’s presidency marked a significant turning point for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). In 1980, he signed Executive Order 12232, which established a federal program to strengthen and expand the capacity of HBCUs. The order directed federal agencies to increase participation of HBCUs in federal programs and ensure these institutions received a fair share of federal resources. Every U.S. president has followed with an executive order on HBCUs since Mr. Carter issued his.
