Barber‑Scotia College—a small historic HBCU that lost accreditation in 2004—reported measurable progress toward federal recognition after satisfying 14 of 17 accreditation standards and awaiting final audits on academic programming and finances. Enrollment has climbed from single digits to triple digits as the college rebuilds with volunteer staff, new athletics, and a narrow academic focus. The president, Chris Rey, is pursuing a strategy that ties program specialization (data analytics and AI) to regional partnerships with nearby HBCUs to create shared administrative capacity. If Barber‑Scotia secures accreditation, the campus could become a notable case study in restoration, financial triage, and mission‑driven specialization for small, resource‑constrained institutions.