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College students are often early adopters, the first to try the latest social networks and mobile devices. But how do the colleges and universities they attend stack up? Here are 10 HBCUs that are doing cool things in the digital and social media space.
Spelman College
Spelman College was the highest ranked HBCU on this StudentAdvisor.com list of top social media colleges, as the school is starting to incorporate social media in the lessons and classroom. With several profiles on Facebook and Twitter, Spelman offers many ways for students to connect with the different schools and departments within the college, alumni, and admissions all via social media.
Morehouse College (Atlanta)
Morehouse College is fishing where the fish are, using social media to recruit high school seniors to apply to the school. The Office of Admissions hosts “Morehouse Mondays” on Facebook where prospective students can ask questions and learn more about the college. The college also boasts a Pinterest page that shows off campus living, alumni accomplishments, and its athletic successes.
Howard University
In a recent discussion on Madame Noire, readers suggested that HBCUs offer more online classes and degrees to stay relevant. Howard University is one HBCU that is offering online programs, including an online MBA program. Additionally, it is active on social media and has a program, Students Helping Startups, which allows Howard students to provide social media and marketing support to new, local startups.
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Texas Southern University
While college students are often the first to try social media, sometimes the faculty can lag behind. At Texas Southern University in Houston, the school is working to train its professors on using mobile to connect with students. Training includes smartphone and tablet strategies and technology.
up June 2014, so hopefully the school will continue in its digital savvy even if Wilson is no longer with the school.
Morgan State University
University President David Wilson leads the way at Baltimore’s Morgan State University, with an active social media presence on his own. The university itself has an active Twitter and Facebook presence, which are currently full of graduation and commencement photos. After some controversy earlier this year, Wilson’s contract with the university is
Oakwood University
As the winner of the 2013 Retool Your School program, Oakwood University in Huntsville, Alabama rallied its students, alumni, and supporters on social media to vote for the school to win a $50,000 grant from Home Depot. The small university (currently only 1,939 students!) is run by the Seventh-Day Adventist Church and beat out several other larger colleges when it came to social support.
Paul Quinn College
Michael Sorrell, president of Dallas’ Paul Quinn College, has brought a lot of change to the school in recent years, and social media has played a role in its exposure and improvement. This year, Paul Quinn also was a finalist in the Home Depot Retool Your School social media contest, where supporters voted online and via social media.
Bowie State University
Allissa Richardson, a Bowie State University communications professor, has helped boost the school’s digital and technology reputation, having been named a 2013 Apple Distinguished Educator for creating a student mobile journalism lab. The Maryland university also hosts a Social Media and Technology Conference in conjunction with Howard University, with the next session planned for September 2013.
Tuskegee University
Another university that has made waves with its social media outreach is Tuskegee University, which leveraged Facebook around the release of the film Red Tails, about the Tuskegee Airmen. The university is also active on Twitter and its student government is also active on the social network.
Dillard University
Many schools on this list demonstrate how a socially-engaged leader can improve social media outreach and Dillard University’s Walter Kimbrough is one more example. Kimbrough is active on social media, using Twitter to share Dillard happenings, articles he wrote or enjoyed reading, and connecting with followers. The university itself, located in New Orleans, is also active on Twitter.
