The focus of the trip is to embark on a journey to consider the role of HBCUs (historically black colleges and universities) in today’s higher education arena.  As part of this learning experience, we will travel South to visit select colleges (both HBCUs and PWIs) to discuss issues of access and student success with scholars and practitioners, we will learn from students about their experiences at these institutions, and meet with individuals at foundations such as the Children’s Defense Fund who are engaged in the work of supporting young people and families.  We will also consider the role that student activism has and continues to play on higher education and social justice.  Along our way we will contextualize the struggle to oppose educational disparities through visits to sites influential in the civil rights movement.