As a junior in high school, I’ve already had the chance to visit a few colleges. I’ve walked across campuses, sat through tours, and tried to imagine myself there. If I’m being honest, though, most of the time, it felt like I was watching someone else’s life — like something you would see in a movie, rather than something you could truly picture for yourself.
That changed when I stepped onto HBCU campuses.
Last month, I joined 50 of my fellow students from United Charter High Schools (UCHS) on the network’s first HBCU Tour, taking us to seven HBCUs in three states and Washington, D.C. The four-day experience was designed not just to show us colleges, but to immerse us in the cultural significance of these institutions. In the weeks leading up to the trip, UCHS brought us together for a series of workshops where we learned about the history and legacy of HBCUs, and topics to prepare us for post-secondary success, including financial literacy and what it takes to succeed in college. We learned how to carry ourselves, ask questions, and advocate for ourselves in new environments.
Those workshops helped me walk onto those campuses with confidence — nothing could fully prepare me for what it would feel like to actually be there.
I saw students who looked like me — not just in the classroom, but leading tours; running organizationsl and preparing for careers in fields like nursing, business, and science. I felt a strong sense of community, and everywhere I looked, I saw people who were serious about their education but also comfortable being themselves.
At Howard University, a nursing student took the time to walk us through her program and answer every question we had. Seeing someone who looked like me already succeeding in the same field I’m interested in made me believe that I could follow a similar path.
At Norfolk State University, I watched a step team practicing outside while other students gathered nearby, studying, talking, and laughing together. It wasn’t just what they were doing; it was how they carried themselves. They looked at home. That feeling stayed with me throughout the trip.
Another thing that stood out to me was how HBCU students present themselves. I saw young men in suits and ties, and young women in dresses or business attire. It reflected a sense of pride and purpose that really stuck with me, showing me the importance of carrying yourself with confidence and understanding your potential.
What also made this experience powerful was understanding the history behind these institutions. At one campus, we learned about areas preserved because of their connection to the past, including sites connected to the Underground Railroad. It reminded us of what Black people have overcome and built. Walking through those spaces, you realize that HBCUs are not just schools. They are places rooted in resilience and excellence.
Before this experience, attending an HBCU was something I was considering. Now, it feels like a much clearer and more intentional goal. Being on those campuses helped me move from curiosity to confidence in what I want for my future.
That kind of shift only happens with exposure, and from adults who believe in you enough to create those opportunities.
At UCHS, that belief starts at the top. Our CEO, Dr. Curtis Palmore, told us that he was once told he wasn’t “college material.” Instead of accepting that, he went on to attend an HBCU, where he built a foundation of knowledge and confidence that ultimately helped him earn his doctorate. Hearing that story, and then experiencing these campuses for myself, has shown me that where you start does not define where you can go.
For many students, especially those from communities like mine, college can feel like a big, unknown environment. You hear about it and prepare for it, but you don’t always feel connected to it. Experiences like this change that. They turn college from an idea into a place where you can truly see yourself thriving.
By the end of the trip, I was thinking deeply about who I want to become and what kind of environment will help me get there.
More students — especially those from New York, where there are no HBCUs — should have access to experiences like this. Schools and communities should invest in opportunities that help students feel prepared, confident, and seen before they even apply. For me, this experience didn’t just show me colleges. It showed me a future I can truly believe in.
Maleah Paul Handley is a junior at the United Charter High School for the Humanities IV in Queens.