Yes, Alcorn State University proudly operates as a historically black college and university. It holds the distinct, historically significant honor of being the very first public land-grant institution founded for the higher education of African Americans in the United States. Established in eighteen seventy-one, the university has remained a cornerstone of educational opportunity, cultural heritage, and leadership development for generations of students. Throughout its long, storied history, Alcorn State has served as a beacon of academic excellence and community advancement, fundamentally shaping the educational landscape for the African American community in Mississippi and serving as an enduring symbol of progress within the national HBCU network.