Topeka ? The Topeka school district is working with several historically black colleges and universities in Texas to make its teaching staff more diverse.

The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that the district hopes to seal formal affiliations with Wiley College, Jarvis Christian College, Texas College, Huston-Tillotson University and Texas Southern University.

Marie Carter, of the district’s human resources department, said the goal is mutual recruiting. The Topeka district plans to hold a minority college fair next fall, with representatives from the colleges, to connect students with more post-secondary options and potentially scholarships.

The idea is that many college students return to their hometowns to teach once they’ve completed their studies. Topeka district administrators are hoping the collaboration could lead to more minority candidates for teaching jobs in Topeka.