Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.
Delaware State University, a historically Black educational institution, has received a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of the Interior to rehabilitate a house located on the university’s campus in downtown Dover. Named the Hope House, the nineteenth-century building is on the National Historic Registry. It was acquired by Delaware State University in 2021 as part of the HBCU’s acquisition of Wesley College. Hope House currently serves as a hub for student programming, counseling services, and cultural connection.
The Center for Outreach in Alzheimer’s, Aging, and Community Health at North Carolina A&T State University, the country’s largest HBCU, has been awarded a $4.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to study Alzheimer’s disease in middle-aged African Americans. The project will examine the biological and psychological factors impacting the cognitive function of 600 Black adult participants aged 55 and over.
Winston-Salem State University, an HBCU in North Carolina, has received a $499,976 grant from the Department of Justice’s Office of Violence Against Women to fund a new initiative aimed at preventing stalking, domestic violence, dating violence, and sexual assault on campus and in the local community. The RamSafe program will be overseen by Candice Jackson, assistant vice chancellor of student affairs for health and well-being. The grant will fund the development of workshops and awareness campaigns to educate students, faculty, and staff on domestic violence prevention and intervention.
Virginia Union University, a historically Black educational institution, and Virginia Commonwealth University have received a $230,000 grant from the Department of Education to create a teacher residency internship program for students studying education at Virginia Union University. Students who participate in the program will be assigned faculty mentors and receive stipends, providing them with a sustainable pathway to teaching careers upon graduation.
