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.
Lincoln University of Missouri received a $725,669 grant from the National Science Foundation to support the HBCU’s “Excellence in Research: Translational Approaches to Strengthening Rural Resilience” project. The four-year initiative will analyze the social and economic dynamics of rural life to equip policymakers, community leaders, and stakeholders with insights for targeted solutions that address the unique needs of rural areas.
Historically Black Florida A&M University was awarded a $399,971 grant from the National Science Foundation to examine how social connectedness and behavioral health intersect to shape student outcomes. As part of their research, a team of faculty, staff, and students at FAMU will launch Boldly RISE (Retain, Inspire, Student Excellence), an intervention program to be integreted into the HBCU’s first-year transition course. Ultimately, the researchers plan to create data sets to enhance student training and mentoring opportunities with potential replication at other U.S. institutions.
Alessandra Raengo, distinguished university professor of moving imaging studies at Georgia State University, has received a $750,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation to expand liquid blackness, a nonprofit research group founded by Dr. Raengo that focuses on the study of aesthetic practices in the contemporary arts of the Black diaspora. Through the new funding, Dr. Raengo will focus on enhancing liquid blackness’ programs designed for scholars, curators, artists, and the public.
West Virginia State University received a $2.2 million gift from alumnus Dr. Langley A. Spurlock. The donation will be used for two purposes, with $2 million going towards the creation of the Spurlock-Cabell Cybersecurity Endowment and the remaining $200,000 supporting the HBCU’s operations and fiscal stability.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund has awarded $16 million in grant funding to eight of its member institutions to support various programs focused on improving student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates; strengthening research capacity; modernizing operations; and fostering cross-campus collaboration. The following HBCUs will each receive $2 million: Alabama State University, Delaware State University, Fayetteville State University in North Carolina, Lincoln University of Pennsylvania, North Carolina Central University, Southern University and A&M College in Louisiana, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and Virginia State University.
