Online consortium headquartered at Delaware State University now offers more than 100 academic programs across six institutions
DOVER, Del. (Oct. 21, 2026) – One year after the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) committed $2 million to support its development, eHBCU, the online learning consortium founded and headquartered at Delaware State University, is reporting steady enrollment growth and a widening footprint across the HBCU community.
Delaware State University has 861 online enrollments this fall, up from 702 at the same point last year, an increase of roughly 23 percent. About 275 of those enrollments come through eHBCU. The University now has 63 certifications available online, with a goal of 100 during its initial stages.
“When we started, I said we will be the largest Black online educational consortium in the country, and that’s still the goal,” said Delaware State University President Tony Allen, who chairs the eHBCU board. “We cannot just meet our students on the yard. We need to be everywhere they are and be there with the latest tools.”
Launched in June 2025, eHBCU brings together Delaware State University; Pensole Lewis College of Business and Design in Detroit; Alabama State University in Montgomery; and the Southern University System campuses in Baton Rouge, New Orleans and Shreveport, Louisiana. With support from Blue Meridian Partners and TMCF, the consortium offers more than 100 academic programs in fields that include criminal justice, psychology, education, accounting, business management and fashion. Health care and information technology certifications are available through the online platform MedCerts.
Students may take courses at any participating institution and earn their degree or credential from the member school they choose. Academic affairs and student success leaders from all six campuses meet regularly to build shared pathways and support services for consortium students.
“eHBCU is not a lesser version of the HBCU experience,” said Kareem McLemore, Delaware State University’s vice president for strategic enrollment management and international affairs. “Students earn credentials from an accredited member institution, learn from HBCU faculty and become part of a community with a long tradition of producing leaders.”
The consortium has also invested in reaching prospective students where they gather, with outreach at the Essence Festival, the Bayou Classic, the Birmingham Classic, the Black Footwear Forum and last year’s inaugural One City HBCU Weekend Games in Philadelphia, part of One Philly HBCU Week, where eHBCU returned this October. Its Instagram community passed 10,000 followers at the one-year mark of its social media campaign.
Looking ahead, more than 20 universities have expressed interest in joining eHBCU.
The work carries weight beyond enrollment figures. According to McKinsey & Company, HBCUs enroll more than twice as many Pell Grant eligible students as other colleges, and their graduates are 51 percent more likely to move into a higher income bracket.
About eHBCU
The eHBCU Consortium is a historic collaboration among six HBCUs: Delaware State University, Alabama State University, Pensole Lewis College of Business & Design, and the Southern University System campuses (Southern University and A&M College, Southern University at New Orleans and Southern University at Shreveport). Founded with support from Blue Meridian Partners and the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, eHBCU brings the legacy and excellence of HBCUs into the digital age, so every learner can access the distinguished academic tradition of HBCUs without geographic limits. Follow @ehbcuofficial on all platforms for updates and announcements.
About Delaware State University
Delaware State University is a public historically Black university located in Dover, Delaware. Founded in 1891, DSU is a Carnegie-classified research institution committed to academic excellence, community engagement, and expanding access to higher education. For more information, visit www.desu.edu.