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Viewpoint Students Embark on Inspiring East Coast Tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities
Viewpoint Students Embark on Inspiring East Coast Tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Last semester, Dr. Jamon Pulliam, Senior Associate Director of College Counseling, along with Middle School Visual Arts Teacher Donna Hicks, led 14 Juniors and Seniors on a tour of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across Virginia, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Pennsylvania.

“The goal of the tour, which we initiated two years ago, is to expose students to the rich history, culture, and academic opportunities these institutions offer,” Dr. Pulliam explained.

As a proud graduate of Tuskegee University, this experience is especially meaningful to Dr. Pulliam. Having personally witnessed the transformative power of an HBCU education, he was inspired to bring that opportunity to Viewpoint School’s Black students, helping them envision new possibilities for their futures.

“For many of them, their first campus tour was with me. To be able to offer this opportunity, take them to a college campus, and for them to really see themselves in this community—it means a lot,” he shared.

"As a teacher, it's a privilege to witness students experiencing those 'Aha!' moments," Hicks added. "On the HBCU tour, their faces literally lit up as they stepped onto the campuses and saw students who looked like them. Our students went unnoticed, feeling at home. Many of them saying, 'I can see myself here!'"

Throughout the trip, the group visited several prominent HBCUs, starting with tours of Virginia State University and Hampton University, followed by dinner at Norfolk State. The next day, they explored Howard University in Washington D.C., met Viewpoint alumni, and visited the National Museum of African-American History and Culture, along with the Martin Luther King Jr. Monument. On day three, they toured Lincoln University and attended a football game between Morgan State and Towson University in Baltimore. The trip concluded with their return to Los Angeles on the fourth day.

“It was such an amazing opportunity to visit these schools. I loved how we were given tours by the students themselves and could hear their perspectives," shared Prianna Pierce ’26. “A lot of them talked about how the school feels like a family, and that really stood out to me.” 

One unique element of this year’s tour was the addition of a journaling component, which encouraged students to reflect on their experiences at the end of each day. 

“We wanted them to process each visit thoughtfully, especially since the different schools can blend together after a while,” said Dr. Pulliam. “Journaling helped them capture what stood out and allowed them to truly engage with each experience. One student's journal entry even reflected their excitement: 'I love this school, and I’m seriously considering coming here.'"

Inspired and looking ahead to the next iteration of the tour, Dr. Pulliam is already planning potential visits to HBCUs in North and South Carolina. 

"There are so many incredible schools concentrated in these states," he said. "I'm excited about exposing students to a different region of the country and the unique experiences those campuses will offer."

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