Philander Smith University
Give
Give to Philander Smith University
The 1877 Scholarship Fund closes gaps for incoming freshmen after federal aid; the Annual Fund is unrestricted.
Want to give to many HBCUs at once? See the national funds.
Get involved
You don't need to be an alum to show up for Philander Smith University. Students need employers, mentors and people in the stands, and anyone can buy from the campus bookstore.
- Volunteer as an alum or friend The alumni volunteer page lists ways to help.
- Hire students Career Services is the campus contact for employers.
- Attend Panthers games Official athletics site.
- Sponsor a scholarship Endowed and non-endowed scholarships can be set up through the giving page.
- Follow on Instagram See what's happening on campus.
- Alumni association For graduates who want to stay connected.
Upcoming events
- Monday, Oct 19Mister & Miss Philander Smith University PageantPhilander Smith University
- Thursday, Oct 22State of the University AddressPhilander Smith University
No upcoming events listed yet. Check the school calendar.
Vote in Arkansas
Elected leaders decide how much public money HBCUs get, and their choices reach private HBCUs too. Here is what's on the ballot and how to vote. We don't endorse candidates.
Registration closed Oct 5. You can still vote early Oct 19–Nov 2 if you're registered.
Register to voteState elections siteFind your legislators
- Election Day
- Tuesday, Nov 3, 2026
- Registration deadline
- Monday, October 5, 2026. No same-day registration is listed.
- Early voting
- Early voting runs October 19 through November 2, 2026 (per US Vote Foundation; confirm on the state calendar).
- Races to watch
- Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is running for a second term against Democrat Fred Love. The governor and legislature set funding for the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and other public colleges.
- Ballot measures
- Issue 1: Citizenship voting requirement Would add to the state constitution that only U.S. citizens who meet the state's voter qualifications may vote in Arkansas state and local elections.
The underfunding letter
In 2023, the U.S. Departments of Education and Agriculture wrote to the governor of Arkansas. Their numbers show University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff got about $331 million less in state money from 1987 to 2020 than it would have with the same per-student funding as the state's original land-grant university.
Sources: The letter · Tennessee Lookout
HBCU news in Arkansas
In May 2024, Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders announced that lawmakers approved $5.8 million to match UAPB's federal land-grant money, which UAPB's chancellor said brought the state match to 100 percent for the first time. (pbcommercial.com)