BCPS-HBCU College Fair Moves Online Nov. 11

BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — High School seniors at Baltimore County Public Schools can engage with more historically Black colleges and universities now that the annual BCPS-HBCU College Fair will be held virtually Nov. 11 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Students can register for the fair on Naviance and through their school counselors or college counselors. All participating students are encouraged to complete the Common Black College Application prior to the fair. Pre-application is encouraged to receive virtual decisions from HBCUs. Many of the attending HBCUs will offer instant admission opportunities during their breakout groups. Seniors who complete the CBCA can apply to all 58 participating HBCUs, at once, for a flat fee of $20, according to the school district.

The BCPS-HBCU College Fair, which was founded and hosted by Milford Mill Academy for its first three years, has evolved into a school system initiative in its fourth year.

“Our partnership with the Department of Student Support Services, the advocacy of Principal Kyria Joseph, and the overwhelming support of Superintendent Dr. Darryl L. Williams has allowed us to grow this equitable opportunity for the students of Baltimore County Public Schools,” said Ken Berlett Jr., Milford Mill school counseling chair and event founder. “Our college counselors from all 24 BCPS high schools and several other stakeholders have collaborated for months to nurture the expansion of this annual event.”

Anticipating the possible necessity of a virtual event, the BCPS-HBCU Fair committee began planning for the event in January. This year’s fair will feature a morning and afternoon session during which students will have the opportunity to engage in workshops, Presentations and one-on-one sessions with college representatives. Students who apply in advance will have the opportunity to join multiple one- on-one sessions for admissions decisions.

The tentative schedule for the fourth annual BCPS-HBCU Fair is:

• 9 – 9:15 a.m. Opening Remarks-Session I
• 9:15 – 9:30a.m. “Tell Them We Are Rising”
• 9:30 – 10:15 a.m. Student Choice-Breakout Workshop I
• 10:15 – 11 a.m. Student Choice-College Presentation I
• 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. Individual Sessions w/ College Reps.
• 12 – 12:30 p.m. Lunch – Streaming Video: BCPS-HBCU Alumni Stories
• 12:30 – 12:45 p.m. Opening Remarks-Session II
• 12:45 – 1:30 p.m. Student Choice-Breakout Workshops II
• 1:30 – 2:15 p.m. Student Choice-College Presentations II
• 2:15 – 5 p.m. Individual Sessions w/College Reps.

The following HBCUs are committed to participating, and at least five more schools are expected to be a part of the fair:

• Alabama State University
• Alcorn State University
• Arkansas Baptist College
• Benedict College
• Bethune-Cookman University
• Bowie State University
• Central State University
• Cheyney University
• Coppin State University
• Dillard University
• Delaware State University
• Florida A&M University
• Fort Valley State University
• Harris-Stowe University
• Hampton University
• Howard University
• Johnson C. Smith University
• LeMoyne University
• Lincoln University
• Livingstone College
• Mississippi Valley State University
• Morgan State University
• Norfolk State University
• Paine College
• Talladega College
• Tennessee State University
• Tougaloo College
• University of Maryland, Eastern Shore
• Virginia State University
• Vorhees College
• West Virginia State University