Philander Smith University

Philander Smith College, a private historically Black liberal arts institution founded in 1877, is located in downtown Little Rock, Arkansas. The campus sits on 25 acres in the state's capital city and features a mix of historic and modern academic buildings. Originally established by the Methodist Episcopal Church to educate freed slaves and their children, the college continues its mission of providing educational opportunities while maintaining its affiliation with the United Methodist Church. The institution offers bachelor's degree programs with particular emphasis in business administration, social sciences, and STEM fields, while also operating signature programs in social justice and health sciences. Students reside in several on-campus residence halls, and the college competes in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) as the Panthers.