Wiley College

Wiley College is a historically African American college located in Marshall, Texas, founded in 1873 by Bishop Isaac Wiley and supported by the Methodist Episcopal Church. The college is one of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States, with a rich history of producing notable African American leaders, including Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston. Wiley College has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since its inception and has a strong connection to the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The college has also been influenced by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

● History

Wiley College was founded in 1873 by Bishop Isaac Wiley and supported by the Methodist Episcopal Church, with the goal of providing education to African American students in the Southern United States. The college has a long history of producing notable African American leaders, including Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston, who were all influenced by the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement. The college has been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since its inception and has a strong connection to the African Methodist Episcopal Church, as well as the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc.. Wiley College has also been influenced by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), and has played a significant role in the Civil Rights Movement, including the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom and the Selma to Montgomery Marches. The college has also been associated with notable figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, who were all influential in the American Civil Rights Movement.

● Academics

Wiley College offers a range of academic programs, including Business Administration, Education, Biology, Chemistry, and Mathematics, as well as Interdisciplinary Studies and Pre-Law. The college is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and has a strong focus on Liberal Arts Education, with a curriculum that includes courses in English Literature, History, Philosophy, and Psychology. Wiley College has also been recognized for its programs in STEM fields (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), including Computer Science, Engineering, and Nursing, which are supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The college has partnerships with institutions such as Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, and Prairie View A&M University, and has a strong connection to the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the United Negro College Fund.

● Campus

The Wiley College campus is located in Marshall, Texas, and features a range of facilities, including the Fred T. Wiley Memorial Library, the Haines Building, and the Wiley College Gymnasium. The campus is also home to the Wiley College Chapel, which is a historic landmark and a symbol of the college's rich history and heritage. The college has a strong focus on Sustainability and has implemented a range of initiatives to reduce its environmental impact, including the use of Renewable Energy and Energy-Efficient Buildings. Wiley College has also been recognized for its Community Engagement and has partnerships with organizations such as the City of Marshall, the Marshall Independent School District, and the East Texas Council of Governments.

● Student_life

Wiley College has a range of student organizations and activities, including the Wiley College Marching Band, the Wiley College Choir, and the Wiley College Debate Team. The college also has a strong focus on Community Service and has partnerships with organizations such as the American Red Cross, the Habitat for Humanity, and the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Wiley College has a diverse student body, with students from a range of backgrounds and interests, and has a strong commitment to Inclusion and Diversity. The college has also been recognized for its support of First-Generation College Students and has a range of programs and services to support student success, including the Wiley College Counseling Center and the Wiley College Academic Support Center.

● Athletics

Wiley College has a range of athletic teams, including Football, Basketball, Baseball, and Track and Field, which compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) and the Red River Athletic Conference. The college has a strong focus on Athletic Excellence and has produced a range of notable athletes, including NFL players Deacon Jones and Michael Strahan, and Olympic athletes Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph. Wiley College has also been recognized for its support of Women's Athletics and has a range of programs and services to support student-athletes, including the Wiley College Athletic Training Center and the Wiley College Sports Information Office.

● Notable_alumni

Wiley College has a range of notable alumni, including Thurgood Marshall, Langston Hughes, and Zora Neale Hurston, who were all influential in the Harlem Renaissance and the Civil Rights Movement. The college has also produced a range of notable leaders in fields such as Business, Education, and Politics, including Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Congressman Al Green, and Mayor Sylvester Turner. Wiley College has a strong network of alumni, with chapters in cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, and has a range of programs and services to support alumni engagement, including the Wiley College Alumni Association and the Wiley College Career Center. The college has also been recognized for its support of Entrepreneurship and has a range of programs and services to support alumni entrepreneurs, including the Wiley College Business Incubator and the Wiley College Entrepreneurship Center.