Here is this week’s news of grants to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which represents the nation’s state-operated historically Black colleges and universities, received a $500,000 donation from Lowe’s Corporation. The funds will be used for scholarships for senior students at TMCF institutions who need financial help so they can complete their degree programs.
Historically Black Savannah State University in Georgia received a $92,236 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to support the Fulbright-Hays Group Project Abroad program. The grant will support overseas projects in training, research, and curriculum development in modern foreign languages. The project is under the direction of Emmanuel Naniuzeyi, director of the International Education Center and professor of Political Science at Savannah State University. Dr. Naniuzeyi is a graduate of the University of Zaire. He earned a master’s degree at Ohio University and a Ph.D. at Atlanta University.
Historically Black Jackson State University in Mississippi received a $347,949 grant from the Verizon Foundation to support its Minority Male Makers Program. The program seeks to encourage young Black male students in middle and high schools to pursue study in STEM fields.
Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton received a $764,000 grant from an anonymous donor to fund a comprehensive new mentoring program at the university for minority students and students in STEM disciplines. The goal of the program is the increase retention and graduation rates of these students.
Several historically Black colleges and universities in Mississippi received grants from the U.S. Department of Education Student Support Services program. The grants will support advising, tutoring, and mentoring programs at these schools with the aim of increasing student achievement and graduation rates. Among the four-year HBCUs receiving grants are Alcorn State University ($329,571), Mississippi Valley State University ($257,020), and Rust College ($278,980).
Historically Black Xavier University of Louisiana in New Orleans received a $141,253 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services. The grant will be used to preserve and digitize the university’s “Charles F. Heartman Collection of Manuscripts Relating to the Negro and Slavery.” The collection includes documents from the period 1724 to 1897.
Hampton University, the historically Black educational institution in Virgina, received a three-year, $675,000 grant from the National Collegiate Athletic Association to enhance the educational achievements of student athletes. The grant will fund additional academic advisers, graduate assistants and computer technology for use by athletes when they travel.
Historically Black Alabama State University in Montgomery received a $79,860 grant from the National Science Foundation for scholarships for students in STEM fields. Nearly 30 students at the university will receive scholarship grants.
The University of Southern Mississippi received a three-year, $439,291 grant from the National Institutes of Health for research focused on community-based solutions to ending health disparities among underserved populations. The project will focus on young African American families in rural areas.
