HBCUs

Four historically Black schools within the Atlanta University Center have been awarded a $14 million grant from the National Science Foundation to expand the research support and capacity across the consortium The project will be led by researchers at Spelman College in collaboration with Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine, and Clark Atlanta University.

"Dr. Francis was a part of Xavier for over half of the century that Xavier has been serving the underserved. His unwavering commitment and courage in the pursuit of social justice led this university through countless adversity," said Reynold Verret, president of Xavier University of Louisiana.

North Carolina Central University is offering its first two courses in architectural design this semester. Over the course of the next five to ten years, the university plans to progress the program from a concentration or minor in architecture to a fully-developed four-year bachelor's program, which would be the first of its kind at an HBCU.

Morehouse School of Medicine is looking to expand their partnership with CHI Memorial Hospital by creating a regional medical campus in the Chattanooga, Tennessee area. This effort aims to empower Morehouse medical students to stay in Chattanooga for the entirety of their residency.

"This partnership aims to contribute to reducing disparities in the teaching profession, ensuring that every educator can deliver a quality education and that every student can access it without barriers," says Dr. Lezly Taylor, assistant professor of science education at Virginia Tech.

"The new program will help to increase the number of counselor educators within the counseling field and the number of competent Black counselor educators," says Dr. Otis Williams, chair of the Bowie State University department of counseling and psychological studies.

"We are excited by this partnership with UT Health Science Center and the opportunities this brings to our students who wish to pursue advanced degrees," said Kuldeep Rawat, dean of the Elizabeth City State University School of Science, Health and Technology.

The civil engineering degree program at historically Black South Carolina State University has established a concentration in fire protection engineering. The program was developed with guidance from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions.

Through three restoration grants totaling $2 million, the Rosenwald Practice School and Principal House will be fully restored, becoming the new home for the Northeastern North Carolina African American Research and Cultural Heritage Institute.

“There are direct relations to the research we do in the College of Engineering and the mission purpose of Collins Aerospace,” said Stephanie Luster-Teasley, interim dean of the College of Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. “Being able to partner with Collins really gives our students the opportunities for hands-on research at each level – undergraduate and graduate.”

The Battery Workforce Competition Program will provide students the opportunity to design and build their own electric vehicle battery. Jackson State University was the only historically Black school chosen to participate in the program.

“In order to educate and train the next generation of diverse leaders and innovators, institutions must have access to an affordable education, and they must be surrounded by a thriving community,“ says Robert F. Smith, founder and chairman of the Student Freedom Initiative.

"The approval of the B.S. in Mechanical Engineering is a testament to VSU's dedication to academic excellence and preparing our students for success in STEM fields," said Tia A. Minnis, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at Virginia State University.

Michigan State University, Alabama A&M University, and Winston-Salem State University have partnered together to improve high school science education in the rural South through the implementation of a new curriculum created with students cultural backgrounds at the forefront.

A lawsuit filed by six Florida A&M University students claiming that the university was discriminated against by the state of Florida was dismissed by United States District Judge Robert Hinkle. The case involved underfunding and duplicative academic programs.

Meharry Medical College has signed a memorandum of understanding with Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan. The agreement aims to establish research and educational opportunities at both institutions.

Morgan State University professor and dean, Oscar Barton, is the first African American recipient of the Edwin F. Church Medal from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. As part of the award, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers will establish an endowed scholarship in his name at Morgan State University.

The semifinalists are Gregory Ford, Martin Lemelle, Markey Pierre, Edwin Smith, Roderick Smothers, and Monica Williams. Ford, Lemelle, and Williams were later named finalists. The presidential search committee will make their selection for the next Grambling State University president on February 22.

Jackson State University President Marcus L. Thompson, has announced the appointments of five African Americans to his senior leadership team: Kylon Alford-Windfield, vice president of enrollment management; Alla Jeanae Frank, special assistant to the president and chief transformation officer; Onetta Starling Whitley, general counsel; ConSandra McNeil, interim vice president of research and economic development; and Mitchell Shears, as executive director of Title III programs.

Now the state of Maryland has formed the Maryland Program Approval Process Workgroup with aim of avoiding duplicative programs before they get off the ground.