Love Island USA standout Olandria Carthen is using her spotlight to amplify a message HBCU grads know well: college is about more than a diploma—it’s about belonging. In a recent live chat, the Tuskegee University alumna reflected on why she picked an HBCU in the first place and how that decision still shapes the way she shows up on and off screen. For future students and families weighing options, her story lands as both a reminder and a recruiting pitch.
“I wanted to feel seen”—the why behind her choice
Carthen shared that the draw of an HBCU wasn’t just academics; it was the environment. She wanted to spend four (or five) years in spaces where culture, community, and confidence were centered—not a side note. That everyday affirmation from classmates, professors, and traditions created a foundation she still stands on. It’s a familiar refrain across HBCU circles: when you’re supported and understood, you stretch further, speak up sooner, and lead with less hesitation.
At Tuskegee University—a campus rich with legacy, innovation, and alumni impact—that shows up as mentors who push and protect, peers who network like family, and traditions that train you to lead. For first-generation students in particular, that combination can be catalytic.
From the Yard to your feed
Carthen hasn’t left her HBCU story in the past. Throughout her reality TV run, she made a point to rep Tuskegee and speak to the value of her experience. That matters. A quick shoutout on a platform with massive reach sparks searches, inspires DMs from high school seniors, and reminds alumni they’re seen. It’s organic brand lift for the Golden Tigers and a subtle nudge to students considering where they’ll feel most at home.
And the timing is powerful: more Gen Z viewers are discovering HBCUs through culture—music, sports, and yes, reality TV—before they ever land on a campus tour. When alumni connect the dots between visibility and values, it helps families understand what HBCUs uniquely provide: rigorous academics, cultural alignment, leadership reps, and a lifelong network.
Reality TV lessons, HBCU-made
Part of Carthen’s appeal is how she navigated the game in real time: adapting to twists, building trust, and staying poised when the pressure spiked. That skill set is familiar to HBCU grads—group projects that become case studies, organizations that demand real leadership, internships powered by alumni who hold you accountable and open doors. The on-screen poise is the off-screen preparation showing up.
Her momentum now spans brand opportunities, hosting, and content creation—all lanes where authenticity and community translate. Because she’s clear about where she comes from, Tuskegee benefits twice: in the immediate shoutouts and in the longer arc of students who choose HBCUs after seeing themselves in stories like hers.
Why this resonates right now
HBCU applications and attention have climbed in recent years, but decisions still come down to stories that feel personal and real. Carthen’s message is direct: choosing an HBCU can be about choosing to be centered—about being majority in the spaces where you learn, lead, and launch. For many students, that shift is the difference between surviving and thriving.
The bigger takeaway: HBCUs remain pipelines for talent across entertainment, tech, media, sports, and beyond. When alumni show up in mainstream spaces and credit their HBCU experience, it affirms what campuses build every day—confidence, community, and readiness to shine when the lights are brightest.