AUSTIN, Texas — Austin's oldest higher education institution is looking to expand out west.
Huston-Tillotson University recently announced plans to build a "boots on the ground" California campus, serving a new group of students outside Central Texas.
The Historically Black College or University (HBCU) plans to offer Liberal Studies Requirement curriculum to online students starting in January. Then by August, the school hopes to receive official approval to begin campus construction.
"Being the first undergraduate HBCU in California, it's just an amazing thing," Huston-Tillotson President Melva Wallace told KVUE's media partners with the Austin-American Statesman.
At first, the four-year university will offer two degrees: an associate's in Liberal Studies and a bachelor's in Business Administration.
It's currently unclear where in California the new campus will be located, as the university continues to search for a permanent spot. After a location is selected, Huston-Tillotson will be able to determine the number of students that can be enrolled.
Wallace told the Statesman the school could expand even further in the future, adding new locations in California and potentially other countries.
The decision was made after nonprofit National College Resources Foundation reached out to Hutson-Tillotson to help increase the amount of HBCUs in California. The San Diego Unified School District is also involved in the collaborative effort.
While Texas is home to nine HBCUs, California does not have any. There are currently 107 of these institutions throughout the U.S., all of which are located on the eastern half of the country.