North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University

 

Student Demographics and Campus Life at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University

Student Body Composition

As of May 2, 2022, the racial and ethnic composition at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University reflected its status as one of the leading historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The student body was 85% Black, 4% Hispanic, 4% other ethnicities, 3% White, and 1% Asian. Economically, 53% of students came from low-income backgrounds, while 47% were classified as affluent.

In 2019, this higher education institution had an undergraduate enrollment of 10,298, with a gender distribution of 43% male and 57% female students. The majority of students, approximately 75%, were North Carolina residents, while 4% were international students, with the remainder from across the United States. As a historically Black college, North Carolina A&T had a student population that was 77.91% African American and 23% non-African American. Under its strategic initiative, “A&T Preeminence: Taking the Momentum to 2023,” the university sought to increase diversity by growing its non-African American student population.

Residence Life

Approximately 40% of students at this college university lived in university-owned or affiliated residence halls, apartments, or residential communities in 2019. Most residence halls at this technical university are coeducational, while 18% are designated for female students and 9% for male students. Students also have the option to reside in themed living-learning communities designed to enhance both academic and social engagement, such as the Honors and International Programs Community and the Teaching Fellows Program.

Each residence hall has its own government, with representatives serving in the Residence Hall Association. While on-campus housing is available, about 65% of students choose to live off-campus, often in nearby apartment complexes or repurposed single-family homes. The residence halls at this technical school offer diverse housing options, including traditional double-occupancy rooms, single-occupancy suites, and apartment-style living.

North Campus features traditional, suite, and apartment-style residences, including Cooper Hall, Alex Haley Hall, and The Aggie Village. The Aggie Village, a six-building residential complex completed in 2005, houses students in four residential buildings named after the A&T Four: Ezell Blair Jr., Franklin McCain, Joseph McNeil, and David Richmond. This development replaced the former W. Kerr Scott Hall, which was ceremoniously demolished in 2004.

South Campus is home to traditional-style residence halls such as Barbee, Curtis, Holland, Speight, Morrow, and Vanstory Halls. Barbee Hall, constructed in 1980, stands as the tallest building on campus apart from Truist Stadium and accommodates 388 students. Meanwhile, East Campus provides suite and apartment-style living options, with residence halls including Pride Hall, The Aggie Suites, and Aggie Terrace. Both The Aggie Suites and Pride Hall were funded through the North Carolina A&T University Foundation and were completed in 2001 and 2005, respectively.

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association (SGA) at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University serves as the undergraduate student governing body. It evolved from the Student Council, which was restructured in 1935. The SGA plays a key role in student representation and campus governance.

Student Organizations and Activities

This educational institution offers over 120 student organizations through the Office of Student Activities, including national honor societies, drama groups, departmental and social clubs, performance ensembles, student military groups, fraternities, sororities, and residence councils. The Council of Presidents serves as the governing body for recognized student-run organizations, ensuring that student voices are heard across campus.

The university’s Blue and Gold Marching Machine, established in 1918, is a nationally recognized marching band that performs at major events such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Honda Battle of the Bands, and the Bank of America 500.

Campus Media

The A&T Register and WNAA 90.1 FM, the university’s official media outlets, provide students with opportunities to engage in journalism and broadcasting. The A&T Register, first published in 1894, now operates as a digital publication with two print editions per semester. It has received accolades from the North Carolina College Media Association and the National HBCU Student News Media Conference.

The university’s radio station, initially launched as WANT 620 AM in 1966, transitioned to WNAA 90.1 FM in 1979. It became a 24-hour station in 1982 and expanded its signal reach in 1984, broadcasting up to 45 miles. Today, WNAA serves the Greensboro, High Point, and Winston-Salem metropolitan area both on-air and online.

Through its Journalism and Mass Communication department, this technical college provides students with hands-on experience managing “The JOMC Journal,” a multimedia news platform, and operating a high-definition television studio. The Aggie Media Group, a student-led public relations agency, offers services such as media relations, research, social media management, and event planning.

Greek Life

Greek life at this historically Black college dates back to the 1910s and includes 18 recognized organizations. These include all nine National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) fraternities and sororities, along with service, honorary, and professional organizations. Approximately 1.4% of male undergraduates and 1.2% of female undergraduates participate in Greek life.

Events and Traditions

North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University hosts numerous annual events celebrating its heritage, alumni, and student culture. Founders’ Day in March marks the anniversary of the university’s establishment.

Homecoming, a major event each October, aligns with a home football game and includes tailgating, social gatherings, concerts, pep rallies, step shows, a parade, and the crowning of Mister and Miss North Carolina A&T. Known as the “Greatest Homecoming on Earth” (GHOE), the event attracts over 40,000 alumni and visitors. A 2011 study by the Greensboro Convention and Visitors Bureau estimated its economic impact at $11.3 million. In 2024, over 130,000 students, alumni, family members, and guests attended Homecoming events.

Commencement ceremonies at this historically Black university date back to its first graduating class in 1899. The university holds two commencement exercises each year—one in December for fall and summer graduates and another in May for spring graduates. In 2018, the university awarded 2,149 degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Notable commencement speakers at this university near me have included Mary Elizabeth Carnegie, a leading figure in African-American nursing history; Frank Porter Graham, former University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill president; political analyst Donna Brazile; and former First Lady Michelle Obama.