University of the District of Columbia

The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) stands as Washington, D.C.'s sole public university and a proud Historically Black Land-Grant University (HBCU). Rooted in a profound commitment to urban sustainability, community engagement, and accessible education, UDC is a vital institution that lives by its inspiring motto: "Aspire, Accomplish, Take on the World."

UDC's history is a testament to perseverance and progress, tracing its origins back to the pioneering Normal School for Colored Girls, founded by Myrtilla Miner in 1851. This groundbreaking institution trained young Black women to become teachers, enduring considerable racist opposition but ultimately laying a crucial foundation for higher education for African Americans. The university in its modern form was consolidated in 1977, bringing together the legacies of Federal City College, Washington Technical Institute, and District of Columbia Teachers College, forging a comprehensive university dedicated to serving its community.

Today, UDC offers an expansive array of academic programs designed to prepare students for the future. From workforce and certificate programs to associate, baccalaureate, master's, professional, and doctoral degrees, students can find their path in diverse fields across its College of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, School of Business and Public Administration, and the unique College of Agriculture, Urban Sustainability and Environmental Sciences. With its main campus at Van Ness and additional sites throughout D.C. and Maryland, UDC provides a dynamic urban learning experience within the nation's capital, enriching the lives of its 4,202 students and the wider community.