Wiley College

WILEY COLLEGE CELEBRATED its sesquicentennial in 2023, an occasion that marked the school’s 150^th birthday as well as the strength of the school that was the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) west of the Mississippi.

Founded by the Freedman’s Aid Society in 1873 to train teachers for careers in African American elementary and secondary schools, Wiley today offers fifteen degree programs from four schools: business, social science, education, and science. Wiley encourages students to connect what they learn in the classroom with service to the world beyond, creating a path of excellence marked by honor and recognition.

Students of all races and many nationalities find that Wiley and its intimate Marshall campus are a welcoming place. The amenities of Dallas and Shreveport are close by, while the campus provides for students’ intellectual growth away from the distractions of big city life.

Wiley offers three fully online degree programs. Its Student Success Center positively impacts the achievement and persistence of new, transfer, returning and adult students through tailored advising and coaching. Through the college’s partnership with the UNCF Career Pathways Initiative and the Strada Education Network, students are earning certifications and receiving hands-on and guided career planning to help them stay on track and persist to earn their college degree. 

Thanks to the success of the movie The Great Debaters in 2007, the historic Wiley debate program was reestablished and has twice won the Overall Sweepstakes Championship at the prestigious Pi Kappa Delta National Comprehensive Tournament.