HBCU Fellowship

Building Bridges Education and uAspire are proud to announce a collaborative policy fellowship to advance postsecondary pathways that provide academic excellence and cultural affirmation to historically underrepresented students.

Celebrating Our Fellows: Developing the Next Generation of Researchers, Leaders, and Change Agents

July 31, 2026

We are proud to highlight the work of our inaugural HBCU Policy Fellows as they present their culminating research projects.

Throughout the fellowship, our scholars engaged in rigorous inquiry exploring the factors that influence Black student success, belonging, and persistence in higher education. Their research examined opportunities to strengthen HBCU access pathways and expand opportunities for Massachusetts students to discover, access, and thrive at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Each project reflects the fellow’s independent scholarship, critical analysis, and commitment to advancing educational opportunity. We invite you to explore their work and celebrate the next generation of HBCU researchers, advocates, and policy leaders shaping the future of higher education.

The HBCU Fellowship Program

Elevate Student Experience: 
Place the lived experiences of marginalized students at the heart of state-level educational policy and advocacy.

Expand HBCU Presence: 
Work actively to bring the rich legacy and transformative power of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to the Massachusetts ecosystem.

Bridge Opportunity Gaps:
Address socioeconomic inequities by developing policy recommendations that strengthen pipelines between students and HBCU institutions.

Key Areas of Focus

  •  Research and draft policy memos for the upcoming legislative session about specific barriers to HBCU enrollment and retention for Massachusetts residents and that outline the socioeconomic impact of increasing HBCU access.

  • Research policy in other states to identify effective policies advancing financial aid parity and dedicated grant programs for students to attend HBCUs.

  • Draft policy frameworks that encourage formal "bridge" agreements between the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and HBCU institutions to streamline credit transfers and admissions.

  • Design policy proposals that ensure HBCUs are represented in all state-funded college readiness programs.

  • Identify and build a database of key influencers within the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and local school committees to target for advocacy outreach.

  • Develop "Action Alerts" and a social media toolkit to mobilize students and families to contact their local officials regarding HBCU-related policy.

  • Ms. Femi Stoltz, Policy Director, uAspire

    “The aim of this fellowship is to take steps toward shifting the HBCU conversation in Massachusetts from a series of successful events to a sustained, policy-backed priority within the Commonwealth’s educational budget and legislative agenda. uAspire is proud to collaborate with Building Bridges Education to provide a fellowship opportunity to college students to research and strategize policy solutions to connect more Massachusetts students to culturally affirming HBCUs."

    ABOUT uAspire

MEET THE TEAM

  • Ms. Femi Stoltz

    POLICY DIRECTOR

    Ms. Stoltz is an advocate for college affordability and access, and is excited to guide our Fellows through a policy-focused journey, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to translate research into practice and advance equitable postsecondary outcomes.

  • HBCU Fellow

    Mizani Benjamin

  • HBCU FELLOW

    Jolana Thirkill

  • HBCU Fellow

    Leah Pires