Executive Order 14283

White House Initiative To Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Signed April 23, 2025, printed at 90 FR 17543. 6 sections of substance, 1,176 words.

In plain English

This order sets up a White House effort for Black colleges. It aims to widen their funding.

Sec. 1. Purpose

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) remain integral to American students' pursuit of prosperity and wellbeing, providing the pathway to a career and a better life. This order will continue the work begun during my first Administration to elevate the value and impact of our Nation's HBCUs as beacons of educational excellence and economic opportunity that serve as some of the best cultivators of tomorrow's leaders in business, government, academia, and the military.

In plain English

This is about historically Black colleges. It says they open a path to a career. It says they build leaders in many fields. Business, government and the armed forces are named. It says this order carries on first term work. The aim is to raise their standing.

Sec. 2. Policy

It is the policy of my Administration to support HBCUs in: advancing America's full potential; fostering more and better opportunities in higher education; providing the highest-quality education; obtaining equal opportunities for participation in Federal programs; ensuring college- educated Americans are empowered to advance the common good at home and abroad; and making our Nation more globally competitive.

In plain English

This states the policy. The administration will back Black colleges. It says they help the country reach its full promise. It says they widen the chance to study. It wants the best teaching there. It wants fair access to federal programs. It wants graduates who serve the common good. It wants the country to compete abroad.

Sec. 3. White House Initiative on HBCUs

(a) There is hereby established the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative), housed in the Executive Office of the President and led by an Executive Director designated by the President. (b) The Initiative shall work with executive departments and agencies (agencies), the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities established in section 4 of this order, private-sector employers, educational associations, philanthropic organizations, and other partners to increase the capacity of HBCUs to provide the highest- quality education to an increasing number of students. The Initiative shall have two primary missions: (i) increasing the private-sector role, including the role of private foundations, in: (A) strengthening HBCUs through enhanced institutional planning and development, fiscal stability, and financial

In plain English

This sets up a White House office for them. It sits in the President's own office. A director named by the President leads it. It works with agencies and a board of advisers. It also works with employers and charities. Its aim is to build up those schools. Private money is one focus.

Sec. 4. President's Board of Advisors on HBCUs

(a) There is established in the Department of Education the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Board). The Board shall fulfill the mission and functions established by, shall have the structure set forth in, and shall in all other respects be subject to the provisions of section 5 of the HBCU PARTNERS Act (20 U.S.C. 1063e). The Board shall include representatives of a variety of sectors, such as philanthropy, education, business, finance, entrepreneurship, innovation, and private foundations, and current HBCU presidents. (b) The Board shall advise the President, through the Initiative, on the matters set forth in section 5(c) of the HBCU PARTNERS Act (20 U.S.C. 1063e(c)). (c) The Department of Education shall provide funding and administrative support for the Board, consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of

In plain English

This sets up a board of advisers. It sits in the Education Department. A federal law sets its shape and duties. Members come from business, finance and education. Current college presidents sit on it. It advises the President through the new office. The department pays for its work.

Sec. 5. Accountability and Implementation

(a) The Executive Director of the Initiative shall submit an annual progress report to the President summarizing the Federal Government's impact on HBCUs and providing recommendations for improvement.

In plain English

This asks for a yearly report. The director must send it to the President. It must say how federal work has helped.

Sec. 6. Revocations

Executive Order 14041 of September 3, 2021 (White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through Historically Black Colleges and Universities), is hereby revoked. Within 14 days of the date of this order, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency shall terminate the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority Serving Institutions Advisory Council. [[Page 17545]]

In plain English

This ends earlier steps. A September 2021 order set up a program for Black colleges. That order is now void. The EPA must also end an advisory council. That council covered Black colleges. It covered other minority serving schools too. The EPA has 14 days to do it.

Sec. 7. General Provisions

Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.

(a) For the purposes of this order, ``historically black colleges and universities'' shall mean those institutions listed in 34 C.F.R. 608.2.

In plain English

This defines a term. It says the schools meant here are those on a federal list.

How this order is quoted

Each section is quoted as the order prints it, under its own number and heading. Executive orders are United States government works and are not under copyright. Long sections are cut at a sentence and the whole order is a click away.