Bennett College recently celebrated 150 years since its founding in 1873 in the basement of St. Matthews United Methodist Church and will soon commemorate 100 years as a college for women—a century of empowering women of color through transformative liberal arts education. Today, this historically Black college proudly continues that legacy on its 55-acre campus in the heart of Greensboro, North Carolina, preparing women to lead with purpose, integrity, and a strong sense of self-worth.

As one of only two all-women’s HBCUs in the United States, Bennett holds a distinctive place in American higher education. The College has been recognized as a Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader for six consecutive years and was ranked #1 in Social Mobility by U.S. News & World Report in 2022, reflecting its commitment to student success. Bennett was also named a 2022–2023 Best College by U.S. News & World Report and is a VA-approved institution.

Bennett’s philosophy centers on providing high-quality academic and co-curricular programs that encourage personal development, lifelong learning, and the ability to meet the needs of an ever-changing global society. With a 9:1 student-to-faculty ratio, students benefit from an intimate learning environment where every Belle receives personal attention and mentorship. State-of-the-art television and photography studios create hands-on learning experiences in media, journalism, and communications.

Students choose from strong academic programs including Business Administration, Psychology, Biology, Interdisciplinary Studies, and Elementary Education. Through the Center for Global Studies, more than 300 Bennett Belles have traveled to over 30 countries, gaining international perspectives through study-abroad opportunities in North Africa, Japan, Spain, Cyprus, Austria, Costa Rica, and beyond. Students also engage with global languages such as Portuguese, Arabic, Chinese, and Kiswahili.

Bennett is the first and only women’s college in the nation to host an SBA Women’s Business Center on its campus, offering resources and support for aspiring women entrepreneurs. Strategic academic partnerships with neighboring institutions further expand research, course access, and experiential learning opportunities.

Tradition and sisterhood shape the Bennett experience. Freshwomen dressed in white walk through the historic Bearden Gates during “Convocatum Est,” officially becoming Bennett Belles. Weekly Academic Cultural Enrichment Series (A.C.E.S.) gatherings bring the campus together for compelling speakers and community conversations. Annie Merner Pfeiffer Chapel—home to the College’s most formal ceremonies and the site of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s only speech in Greensboro—remains a symbol of Bennett’s deep roots in civil rights, leadership, and social justice. Bennett also celebrates another national milestone: Dr. Willa B. Player, the first Black woman to lead a four-year U.S. college.

Election-season marches to the polls, voter engagement, gatherings in the Student Union, and the beloved “Big Sister” tradition create a vibrant sense of belonging and lifelong connection.

As a United Methodist Church-related institution, the College promotes inquiry, civic engagement, social justice, and equity—values reflected in every aspect of campus life.

At Bennett College, sisterhood is more than tradition; it is a transformative experience that prepares women to lead, inspire, and change the world.