Barber-Scotia College

Attaining an education has always been synonymous with upward mobility. This ideology has not changed throughout the American experience! In fact, the sons and daughters of the emancipated sought avenues to attain the American dream and social equality. Scotia Seminary was founded for just that reason.

What would become Barber-Scotia College was founded in January 1867, by Reverend Luke Dorland, who was commissioned by the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. to establish in the South an institution for the training of African American women. Concord, North Carolina, was selected as the location of the school due to its demographics. The institution included a program of elementary, secondary, and college.

The original purpose of the college was to prepare women to go into the fields of education and social work. The mission of the college has always focused on total student development as etched in the Faith Hall cornerstone: "For Head, Hand and Heart."