By Representative Jeffery Harness
There are moments in public policy when the numbers tell a story so plainly that they require no interpretation—only accountability.
During the most recent legislative cycle, $166 million in funding was allocated through the Department of Finance and Administration to three predominantly white institutions: the University of Mississippi, Mississippi State University, and the University of Southern Mississippi.
At the same time, Mississippi’s three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)—Alcorn State University, Jackson State University, and Mississippi Valley State University—received none of that funding.
Not a portion. Not a share. Not even consideration.
That is not just a budget decision. It is a reflection of priorities. Mississippi cannot claim to prioritize growth while neglecting the very institutions that produce a substantial portion of its talent.
For generations, HBCUs have operated under conditions that would cripple most institutions. Yet, they continue to produce doctors, teachers, engineers, entrepreneurs, and public servants who drive Mississippi’s economy and strengthen its communities.
They have done more with less for decades.
The question now is: why are they still being asked to?
This is not about pitting one institution against another. It is about confronting a pattern that has persisted far too long—one where institutions that serve a significant share of our state’s Black students are systematically underfunded, even as they demonstrate measurable impact and resilience.
When we underinvest in HBCUs, we are not just limiting campuses. We are limiting workforce development, economic mobility, and the long-term competitiveness of our state. To be clear, Mississippi’s HBCUs are not failing institutions. They are thriving institutions in need of fair funding.
Imagine what could be achieved with equitable investment: the expansion of academic programs aligned with workforce demands, upgraded infrastructure that attracts and retains students, and the economic ripple effect in communities that depend on these institutions as anchors. Equity in higher education funding is not a favor—it is a responsibility.
If we are serious about preparing Mississippi’s workforce, strengthening our economy, and ensuring opportunity is not determined by zip code or institutional history, then we must act.
That means implementing equitable funding that reflects student populations and institutional needs. It means making targeted investments in HBCU infrastructure and program development. And it means establishing accountability measures to ensure these institutions receive what they are owed—not what is left over.
Because the truth is simple: Students cannot compete equally when their institutions are funded unequally.
In 2026, we should not still be debating whether equity matters. The real question is whether we have the political will to achieve it.
Mississippi’s future depends on the answer.
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Rep. Harness serves District 85 in the Mississippi House of Representatives, which emcompasses Claiborne, Franklin, Jefferson, and Warren Counties. He is an Alcorn State University graduate and earned a Juris Doctorate for Southern University Law Center.
