Promoting Excellence, Innovation, and Sustainability at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

This executive order establishes the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities within the Department of Education, along with a President's Board of Advisors, to strengthen HBCU capacity, increase their participation in federal programs, and advance the national goal of having the highest proportion of college graduates by 2020. It requires designated federal agencies to prepare annual plans with measurable objectives for HBCU engagement and appoint senior officials to coordinate these efforts.

Federal Register Open PDF 75 FR 9749

Impact dates

Date TBD
Annual agency plan submissions recurring
Date TBD
Annual Board report to President and Secretary
Date TBD
First agency plans due (date set by Secretary)
Date TBD
Secretary establishes agency plan submission date

Key directives

Establish White House Initiative on HBCUs in Department of Education
Establish President's Board of Advisors (max 25 members) in Department of Education
Designated executive departments and agencies shall prepare annual plans to strengthen HBCU capacity
Agency plans must include measurable objectives and annual performance assessment after first year
Secretary shall establish submission date for agency plans
Secretary and Executive Director shall submit annual plan to President
Each designated agency shall appoint senior official to report to agency head and serve as liaison
Executive Director shall convene Interagency Working Group from designated agencies
Board shall report annually to President and Secretary as part of Initiative annual report
Revoke Executive Order 13256

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

White House Initiative on HBCUs established in Department of Education
President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs established
Executive Director position created
Interagency Working Group established
Executive Order 13256 revoked

Near term (90d)

Secretary of Education to establish deadline for agency plan submission
designated agencies to prepare first annual plans with measurable objectives
agencies to appoint senior officials for HBCU liaison duties

Long term

annual agency plan submissions and performance assessments ongoing
annual Board reports to President and Secretary
ongoing efforts toward 2020 college graduation goal (later superseded by events)

Risks & tensions

No specific calendar deadlines in text; all timing delegated to Secretary of Education discretion
Implementation 'subject to availability of appropriations' may limit resource commitments
2020 college graduation goal was aspirational and later superseded by events; not a binding target
Enforceability disclaimer (Section 4(f)) limits legal recourse for non-compliance
Vague 'as appropriate' qualifiers on technical assistance and senior official duties may weaken accountability