required to expand access to education, strengthen HBCUs, and support future generations of students and educators. Barriers in Rural South Carolina Voorhees University’s location in Denmark, South Carolina, a historically under-resourced rural area, makes its mission even more critical. Wright-Menafee founded the institution to expand educational opportunities for students who were historically denied access to schooling. Today, that same commitment continues, as Voorhees serves a region where economic and educational disparities persist.
impacting digital learning opportunities.
rural and urban areas, ensuring that students regardless of geography, have access to well- trained teachers. By providing pathways to teacher certification, mentorship, and professional development, Voorhees is actively addressing teacher shortages and expanding educational opportunities across the region. Wright-Menafee’s Vision and Today’s Educational Priorities During Wright-Menafee’s time, Black educators were at the forefront of advancing education in underserved communities, often facing resistance to their efforts. Schools were burned down, teachers were threatened, and access to learning was tightly controlled.
evolved, the mission remains the same, ensuring that education remains a pathway to economic mobility and social progress. HBCUs like Voorhees continue to be key drivers of workforce development, innovation, and leadership, aligning with the administration’s focus on: • Strengthening HBCUs through federal and state investments and expanded research opportunities. • Expanding access to teacher training programs, particularly in STEM, healthcare, and education fields. • Supporting workforce development initiatives that create economic mobility for communities.
• Funding inequities that make sustaining programs more difficult. • Lower college enrollment rates due to financial hardships in surrounding communities. Yet, despite these obstacles, Voorhees remains a pillar of empowerment, equipping students with the education, leadership training, and workforce skills necessary to uplift their communities. The EPI Center at Voorhees University is a prime example of this impact. The program prepares educators to serve in high-need schools, both in
Rural HBCUs like Voorhees face unique challenges, including:
• Limited broadband access,
Today, while the barriers have
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