HBCUs are a source of accomplishment and great pride for the African American community as well as the entire nation. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, defines an HBCU as: “…any historically black college or university that was established prior to 1964, whose principal mission was, and is, the education of black Americans, and that is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association determined by the Secretary [of Education] to be a reliable authority as to the quality of training offered or is, according to such an agency or association, making reasonable progress toward accreditation.” HBCUs offer all students, regardless of race, an opportunity to develop their skills and talents.
Here are how several modern companies have partnered with HBCUs, in a variety of ways.
Tell us about your HBCU programs/partnerships.
Capital One’s Diversity, Early Engagement and Partnerships recruiting team (DEEP) is one of many teams working to continue building our diverse workforce and culture of belonging where every associate voice is heard and matters. DEEP works with HBCUs and the organizations that support them to create pathways to opportunities for students that may not have access otherwise.DEEP invests in partnerships that create college fairs, career readiness seminars, financial wellness workshops and many more contributions that help ensure a more equitable future for all.
Why is it important to your company to partner with HBCUs?
At Capital One, we are committed to attracting, developing and elevating talent from all backgrounds on our journey to full representation. And we know we can only build a pipeline of diverse talent by ensuring everyone has equal access to internship and career opportunities early on.“We’re intentional about building genuine connections and authentic relationships that will allow more people to find their life at Capital One,” said Terrance, Director of Diversity Talent Acquisition. “Our impact can change the lives of not only the students we engage and hire but also their parents, caregivers, family members, professors, peers and generations to come.”
Check Out Capital One’s Careers Page Here!
Tell us about your HBCU programs/partnerships.
Axon feels strongly about increasing diversity and representation across all sectors of our team and our products, but we also know this is a marathon we are truly just starting. This year we were honored to sponsor the first responders section at the HBCU Classic at Met Stadium. We had the opportunity to participate during the Classic career fair and speak with many members from the HBCU alumni community and student groups. This partnership highlighted the connection of our mission driven company with members of the HBCU community in a new way. Why is that important? Because we desire to be authentic in who we are and find new ways of engaging outside of the traditional sponsorships. Plus it was a lot of fun! At Axon, we want our programs and partnerships to resonate and are intentional about our selections. We are building out our engagements, learning what is working and what is not, and listening to the recommendations of our employees. While this is not an outright program (yet) we hope to build the framework for 2023 and beyond.
Why is it important to your company to partner with HBCUs?
At Axon, we have a responsibility to create a more just and inclusive world through technology and people. We are building the world’s largest network of public safety solutions—technologies that will be used to protect and serve communities across the globe. It is critical that we build diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve and thus create better products. Partnering with HBCU’s and finding new ways to connect is imperative to that success.
Check Out Axon’s Careers Page Here!
Tell us about your HBCU programs/partnerships.
Gainwell recruits from Historically Black Colleges and Universities as part of our Diversity, Equity & Inclusion strategy for our early career talent. While we recruit virtually, we also focus on recruiting in person at HBCUs, having just visited career fairs at FAMU and the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. Recently, Gainwell launched a partnership with Handshake, a campus recruiting tool that allows us the opportunity to connect directly with students and organizations at HBCUs. These tools help facilitate sessions where we engage with students directly and hear about what they are looking for in an employer. We aim to share with students that Gainwell Technologies values a diverse workforce, equitable practices and inclusive nature, supporting our commitment to fostering an environment where all employees can be authentic and thrive.
Why is it important to your company to partner with HBCUs?
Recruiting from HBCUs allows us the opportunity to tap into talent with diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences. Diversifying our talent pool is critical to our success, as it brings new and innovative perspectives to the forefront, resulting in better decision-making and overall outcomes. We are able to see challenges and solutions from various perspectives and can gain valuable insight into others’ expertise. In a recent survey, 79% of our employees agreed that Gainwell has created an environment where people with diverse backgrounds can succeed, with 73% of employees saying that they strongly agree that Gainwell is genuinely committed to attracting, developing and keeping a diverse workforce. Our DE&I initiatives support these sentiments, and we welcome potential new candidates to join our growing organization!