FAMU Launches the Rattlerverse: The First HBCU Metaverse Inside Meta Horizon Worlds

By Javonni Hampton

Florida A&M University (FAMU) is breaking new ground in higher education by introducing the Rattlerverse, the first official Metaverse for an HBCU within Meta Horizon Worlds. Crafted with detail, this immersive virtual world offers a futuristic opportunity to explore FAMU’s campus, culture, and current events.

L. Michelle Salvant, a FAMU alumna and World Concept creative director, said a skilled team dedicated many days and nights to virtually reinvent FAMU. This new world was crafted by the award-winning Meta Horizon World Builders, Jeremy Duncan and Shika Duncan of Onyx Leaf Media.

“Watching the Rattlerverse come alive and truly start to take shape has been an incredible journey. I’m proud to continue leading the team that is taking my Alma Mater into a whole new world! This is just the beginning,” said Salvant.

The Rattlerverse can be accessed through Meta Quest 2, Quest 3, and Quest Pro headsets.

Vice President of Student Affairs William E. Hudson, Jr, Ph.D., said the Rattlerverse is a great addition to the University’s recruitment tools.

“As the number one HBCU, I think it’s always imperative that we always look for new mechanisms to reach our constituents. We do a great job with our campus visits, our social media, but moving to the Metaverse is something no one has done, and we pride ourselves on being innovators and strategists for the new generation of student,” Hudson said. “Every day something great happens at FAMU, and the Rattlerverse is another great thing that’s happening on our campus and in virtual reality.”

The Rattlerverse provides visitors with an array of experiences, including playing football on the Rattlerverse field, marching like a FAMU Marching “100” Band Drum Major even taking the stage in the Rattlerverse edition of Will Packer’s Amphitheater. 

Nya Bostic, a fourth-year FAMU broadcast journalism student, shared her excitement, “I think that this is beautiful. People will love this. It’s a 10 out of 10 overall experience.”