This chapter initiative started in 1992 by Dr. Mattie L. Rhodes, provides students and their parents from Erie and Niagara Counties a 6-8 week interactive and information packed college preparatory workshops. After completing the workshops, students travel to tour several Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCUs), meeting campus representatives, interacting with students on campuses during the visits and attending an HBCU Homecoming Celebration. On this tour, students are chaperoned by member of our sorority and male community leaders who each been background screened and trained.
Dr. Mattie L. Rhodes
College Preparatory Program & HBCU Tour 2025
Participation cost of $600 includes:
• Bus Transportation • Hotel Accommodations • Two Meals • Workshop Materials •
• Game Day Shirt • Homecoming Activity Tickets •
If you are interested in participating in the 2025 HBCU Tour, click the button below and completed the interest form. Please note, completing the form does NOT guarantee your place on the Tour. Additionally, the form cannot be transferred to other students. All interested participants must complete the form on the link below.
Again, filling out our Interest Link does NOT hold your seat, it allow you to be eligible you to receive the invite to pay a deposit and register to hold a space on the tour.
Wednesday, July 16, 2025, an email will be sent out to those who complete this form based on the priority below. That email will have instructions to submit the $200 deposit and to complete the paperwork required to secure a seat on the bus.
Invites to hold seats will be sent as follows:
July 18: Seniors and male Juniors invited to complete registration and submit a deposit
July 21: Juniors (class of 2027) invited to complete registration and submit a deposit
July 22: Underclassmen Freshmen and Sophomores invited if seats remain
July 18, 2025 - Nonrefundable Deposit Due
A nonrefundable deposit of $200 is due with the registration form and will be accepted until all spaces are filled.
August 22, 2025 – Final balances Due
Registered students may pay the full $600 on July 18th or they are offered to pay on our payment plan in 3 increments of $200. (Payment plan dates: July 18th, August 1st, August 22nd). The full $600 is due by August 22nd. Any seats unpaid for and missing documentation will be refunded (minus the $200 deposit) and will be reopened for the next student on the waiting list.
September 8, 2025- Mandatory Program Orientation
Mandatory program orientation for participants and a custodial parent/guardian from 6:30pm - 8:00pm.
For More Information:
PHASE I - WORKSHOP SERIES
Monday Nights • 6:15pm - 8:30pm • Location: TBA
Session 1: Monday, September 15, 2025
Session 2: Monday, September 22, 2025
Session 3: Monday, September 29, 2025
Session 4: Monday, October 6, 2025
ALL participants and a parent/guardian MUST participate
in ALL workshops in order to move to Phase II.
PHASE II - HBCU TOUR*
Wednesday, October 8: Depart Buffalo
Thursday, October 9: Morgan State & Coppin State
Friday, October 10: Bowie State & Howard University
Saturday, October 11: Morgan State’s Homecoming Parade &
Football Game
Sunday, October 12: Return to Buffalo
*Schedule subject to change
2018 College Tour Recap
The Dr. Mattie L. Rhodes College Preparatory and Historical Black College Tour (HBCU) kicked off its program at the end of August 2018 with 36 high school juniors and seniors from the Western New York (WNY) area. Following an exciting orientation with an overview of the program, students and parents began Phase I with weekly workshops in September and October. These workshops were held on Monday evenings at True Bethel Baptist Church from 6:30PM – 8PM. During this time they heard from college representatives, HBCU college graduates and members of the WNY National Pan-Hellenic Council. The interactive workshops included workshop on: Admissions, Financial Aid, Student and Greek Life. Successful completion of these workshops guaranteed their participation in the Phase II portion of the program, which was held from October 24th – October 28th.
Buffalo Alumnae Chapter Sorors, parents and members of the community came out on Wednesday, October 24th to help us “Move that Bus.” During the next two days participants along with 11 chaperones visited colleges and universities within the Washington, DC/Maryland area to include; Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Morgan State University and Howard University. Outside of our walking tours, the students engaged with former college tour students who are now attending these HBCUs. They heard firsthand about their college experiences and being away from WNY. The excitement of hearing from 3 seniors graduating May 2019, or those that received partial and full (academic/sports) scholarships. Others were transfers, or came understanding financially it would be a struggle, but they wanted it bad enough to sacrifice. But the overriding theme “WE LOVE OUR HBCU” was in their spirit and their hearts.
Although the days were long, the group did a sightseeing bus tour of the historic D.C. landmarks and spent quality time as a group in the hotel during the evening.
The weekend culminated with the group attending the Howard University Homecoming Parade and Football Game! And so it ends, but for many the students, it is only the beginning of how this experience changed them personally and academically. If only for a moment in time, these young people had the opportunity to experience the dream…the HBCU Experience. Mission accomplished, until 2019!
Thank you the entire chapter especially, Dr. Mattie L. Rhodes, the Risk Management Committee, the HBCU Committee, and the entire chapter for your support, prayers, snacks, and sharing our photos on social media! A sincere thank you to Soror Ophelia Nicholas for the gift that keeps on giving.
2018
2017
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