Welcome to HillmanTok University, where everyone is accepted, and TikTok is your classroom.
Thousands of professors have taken their talents to TikTok, documenting their course offerings and allowing students, or users, outside the typical classroom setting to participate in the curriculum.
The trend, known as “HillmanTok,” started with Dr. Barlow, an African American Studies professor, who utilized the social media platform to engage with her actual students. As her videos gained more traction, other minority professors followed suit. Now, teachers worldwide are helping students merge their love for TikTok with their desire to learn.
TikToker @djneurospicy explained that the outpouring of support for Barlow’s efforts follows the decision of 92% of Black women who voted for Kamala Harris in the Nov. 4, 2025, election to not focus on Donald Trump’s second presidency.
“Here’s how it goes: Trump becomes president, the 92% say they are minding their own business,” the TikToker said. “Dr. Barlow posts a video about African American studies and it’s just for her students. Because we’re starved for community and when Black women tell us to do something, we listen, we all enrolled.'”
“HillmanTok” emerges at a time when TikTok’s future is uncertain. On April 24, 2024, former President Joe Biden signed a law ordering ByteDance to sell TikTok to a U.S. company within one year or risk a ban, AFROTECH™ noted.
ByteDance failed to sell to a U.S. buyer, and just before 10 p.m. CT on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025, the popular social media platform went Black. On Monday, Jan. 19, 2025 — his first day in office — Trump ordered the federal government to pause the enforcement of the divest-or-ban law, extending the app’s operations by 75 days in the U.S., per AFROTECH™.
Now, TikTok students have the chance to enroll virtually in hundreds of courses, ranging from Introduction to Yoga to AI and Afrofuturism. AI in education is particularly important, as it is revolutionizing the landscape by enhancing teaching methods, improving accessibility, and personalizing learning experiences, AFROTECH™ previously reported.
“AIs become more sophisticated, they’re rapidly becoming a favorite among students for their interactive and personalized support,” BradBarton, YouScience’s CTO, told Forbes. “We can expect to see them increasingly integrated into classrooms, tutoring platforms, and educational apps as educators embrace this engaging tool for learning.”
Here’s a list of courses for those ready to enroll, with the following offerings highlighting the intersection of Black business, technology, culture, and academic learning.
Intro To African American Studies
Dr. Barlow used the popular app to engage with her students by providing her syllabus, outlining the course expectations, and detailing the reading materials they will use throughout the semester. Eventually, she shared a TikTok syllabus for her new enrollees.
@afamstudiesWelcome to Intro to African-American Studies Spring 2025!♬ original sound – Dr. Barlow’s Intro to Af-Am
AI And Afrofuturism
Dr. Nadiyah Johnson teaches a course titled AI and Afrofuturism 101, where students learn about artificial intelligence, its societal impact, monetization strategies, industry entry, and AI ethics.
@nadiyahjohnson_ Enroll in AI and AfroFuturism 101 Spring 2025 Follow to enroll #hillmantok #hillman #tiktokuniversity #drbarlow #studentlife #college #artificialintelligence ♬ original sound – Nadiyah Johnson
Latino Studies
Dr. Ester Trujillo is a colleague of Barlow, and she couldn’t allow her colleague to educate hundreds of thousands of students alone.
Trujillo leads a seminar titled Latino Studies 101, which focuses on the discussions surrounding Latinos in the U.S., particularly addressing issues of race, power, and resistance.
@entrujillo Grab your homies. It’s time for #LatinoStudies101 #TiktokUniversity #HillmanTokUniversity #Latinos #latinas #educatedlatina ♬ original sound – ENT
“Now, it has come to my attention that education among our Latino communities isn’t necessarily valued,” Trujillo said, “and I think we need to clear the air — most of us have not had the opporunity to study our own presence in the United States, that should come as a surprise to no one.”
The Psychology Of Self-Care, Wellness, And The Black Mental Health Experience
In this course, Professor Denise Francis leads discussions about the differences between coping and healing and the connection between mental health and self-love. The course also explores how transgenerational trauma impacts Black women at a cellular level, among other topics. “We’re going to be diving deep into a Black woman’s self-love journey and how it has the power to heal generations,” Francis said.
@livenaturallylove See you next week with your requirements for this course! #drbarlow #psychology #tiktokuniversity #hillmantok #discussionboard ♬ original sound – The Self Love Queen
Interior Design
Professor Sabine Guillaum Hayes founded Georgette Marise Interiors, a boutique home design company that helps entrepreneurs and homeowners create comfortable living spaces. Her class starts on Feb. 3, 2025.
@georgettemarise All 5k of you are here! Welcome to your Design 101 Semester #tiktokuniversity #interiordesign101 #drbarlow #hillmantok #educationrevolution ♬ original sound – GeorgetteMarise Interiors
Introduction To Yoga
Ashley is educating students on the art of yoga, starting at 3:30 a.m. CT on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025.
@whoaskedashley_ Welcome to Yoga 101 🧘🏾♀️ I am Ashley your yoga instructor/professor. I’m so happy to see all you interested in the sacred practice of yoga. Stick around don’t drop the course. #tiktokuniversity #hilmantok #blackgirlsdoyoga #40andover #momtok #asipringcontentcreator #blackmomtok ♬ original sound – Ashley ✨
Personal Finance
Professor G’s course starts on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, and she has included a link to the course syllabus in her bio on TikTok. The course will kick off with a live session on the social media app at 6 p.m.
@digitallygee Replying to @Giovonnie ♬ original sound – iamguelitagee
Tech 101
Jen, better known as CodeCodeWorld, is teaching students about everything there is to know about the tech sector. With no homework, she promises a class that is “a lot of fun,” and that focuses on theory and scenario-based learning.
@codecodeworld #tiktokuniversity #tech101 ♬ Computer Love – Zapp
