Cheyney University of Pennsylvania

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania is a public historically Black university located in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, in Delaware County. Founded in 1837, it is recognized as the oldest historically Black institution of higher education in the United States. The university offers undergraduate programs in liberal arts, education, business, and the sciences, with a mission rooted in expanding access to higher education. As a member of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania serves a diverse student body and maintains a strong historical connection to teacher preparation and public service. Students interested in a small campus environment with a significant civil rights legacy are often drawn to the institution.

Cheyney University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1837 as the African Institute, established through a bequest from Quaker philanthropist Richard Humphreys to educate African American youth. Shortly after its founding, it was renamed the Institute for Colored Youth and began offering instruction in literature, science, agriculture, and mechanical arts. Originally located in Philadelphia, the institution later moved to Cheyney, Pennsylvania. In 1913, it became Cheyney State Teachers College, reflecting a growing emphasis on teacher education under the leadership of Leslie Pinckney Hill, its first president in that era. Over time, Cheyney University of Pennsylvania expanded its academic programs and achieved university status in 1983. Today, it remains part of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education and continues its longstanding mission of providing access to higher education.