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.
Historically Black Virginia Union University in Richmond received a grant from the Commonwealth of Virginia to develop a Collegiate Recovery Program (CRP), which will assist students in the process of recovering from substance-abuse disorders. The CRP will offer training for all faculty and staff members to understand signs of substance abuse, the language, the recovery process and the best way to become allies for students in need of recovery. The program will be headed by Shanita S. Brown, director of counseling services at the university. Dr. Brown holds a Ph.D. in counseling and counselor education from North Carolina State University.
Frank and Patricia Kabela have committed $1 million to historically Black Savannah State University and pledged an additional $50,000 each year to provide student scholarships. Frank Kabela is the former CEO of Greater Media, Inc. The Kabela Family Endowment funds were established to keep as many students enrolled in college as possible.
Florida International University is leading a group of three universities in a $7.5 million program to support diverse students pursuing doctoral degrees in special education. The U.S. Department of Education has provided $3.75 million to fund a program called Project: INclusive Consortium of Leaders in Urban Disabilities Education. FIU, Arizona State University and Syracuse University are matching those funds, for a total grant amount of $7.5 million. The grant will support 26 doctoral students who will research ways to address the needs of culturally diverse students with disabilities in an urban setting.
Grambling State University, the historically Black educational institution in Louisiana, received a $2 million donation from foodservice provider SodexoMAGIC. The company’s bequest will count toward the ongoing Bring It Home fundraising campaign. Proceeds from the Bring It Home campaign have historically provided thousands of students with financial aid gap funding, supplied scholarships, and other forms of direct student support.
Historically Black Tennessee State University received a $569,250 grant from the U.S. Department of Education for academic support serves programs. The university will use the funds to develop a Global Education Student Support Services Lab in the College of Education to increase student learning across the curriculum, as well as hire new career advisors, academic coaches and a program coordinator.
