The Impact of Historical Racism on African American College Enrolment Rates from Reconstruction to the Present

Racial inequality still strongly affects colleges and universities in the American South, particularly those that were historically segregated. This study examines the historical and ongoing impact of institutional racism on African American enrollment at Sam Houston State University (SHSU). This qualitative study draws on historical documents, university archives, and scholarly literature to examine exclusionary admissions, SHSU's desegregation response, enrollment trends, and lasting institutional erasure. The findings show that although SHSU officially desegregated in 1964, informal policies, institutional silence, and weak structural support continued to limit access and inclusion. Today, many African American students report feeling isolated, fatigued by racial stress, and underrepresented. Initiatives like the ELITE (Establishing Leadership In and Through Education) program and the Race and Reconciliation Project represent efforts to support minority students and acknowledge the university's legacy of exclusion. However, these programs are not enough on their own. Achieving true racial equity at SHSU will require sustained structural reform, inclusive leadership, and a fundamental rethinking of the university's cultural and historical identity.