Academics
Students come to Livingstone College for many reasons— there are bachelor’s degrees in 23 major fields, and certificates in Culinary Arts, Event Planning, and Lodging Operations—and the school supports them across four central divisions: Business; Education, Psychology and Social Work; Liberal Arts and Humanities; and Mathematics and Science. For those seeking a more challenging track, there’s also an honors program available. There’s also special consideration given to those majoring in the Teacher Education program: grant-in-aid is offered, meaning their education will be free after federal financial aid is considered. In 2021, the college opened a 16,000-square-foot STEMfocused Science Annex featuring a hydroponic greenhouse plus laboratory/research spaces for microbiology, human anatomy/physiology, biochemistry, and general chemistry, along with a tissue culture lab and smaller labs for specialized research. The Annex also houses a hands-on, collaborative learning classroom, a planetarium, and an immersion theater where students have the unique opportunity to study human anatomy, physics, astronomy, and earth science in a virtual reality environment.
Career
With a population just under 1,000 students, those at Livingstone College enjoy a close-knit atmosphere. That communal sense is emphasized given that nearly 80% of students live on campus in college-owned and operated or affiliated housing, and it’s further boosted by the wide array of events, clubs, and sports offered to enrich the college experience and foster connections. Whether that’s the History/ Political Science Club, SEEDS Ecology Club, Livingstone Gospel Choir, or Women of Purpose: Christian Women’s Fellowship (among many others), there’s no shortage of opportunities to build leadership and organizational skills and gain résumé highlights. The very first Black football game in the United States was in 1892 between Livingstone and what is now Johnson C. Smith University, and that athletic tradition is alive and well today, with a full slate of Blue Bears men’s and women’s teams in the NCAA II. There’s a healthy Greek history on campus as well, which can be helpful to students looking to excel in particular honors areas, like the Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Society or the Beta Kappa Chi Scientific National Honor Society. As the school puts it, you certainly can “get life out of a stone.”
Culture
Livingstone is committed to preparing its students for post-graduation careers, which can be seen in the range of its notable alumni, from Elizabeth Duncan Koontz, the first African American president of the National Education Association and director of the United States Department of Labor Women’s Bureau to Philip A. Payton, a real estate entrepreneur known as the “Father of Harlem,” due to his work there renting properties to African Americans. The Career Services Center aids in this success by supporting the professional development of students from first-years all the way to graduates and alumni, with career planning, career exploration, and assistance with personal branding. In addition, the college regularly sponsors professional development workshops, networking events, career fairs, and a full Career Week to help connect students with potential employers and help them explore their career options on a local, national, and global level.
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