Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

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.

Nurses in Black-Serving Hospitals Experienced Increased Levels of “Moral Distress” During the Pandemic

Moral distress is defined as a feeling of being prevented from making a morally-ethical action, which contributes to mental health challenges. Nurses under moral distress are more likely to experience burnout and quit their jobs.

Porché Spence Recognized for Outstanding Commitment to Advancing Diversity in Ecology

Dr. Spence currently serves as an assistant professor of environmental studies at North Carolina A&T State University. Throughout her career, she has developed several educational programs geared towards introducing students of color to environmental science fields.

Prairie View A&M University Establishes “Agletics” Program for Student-Athlete Nutrition Research

The "Agletics" initiative leverages agriculture and nutrition studies into direct support for the university's student athletes. The research program will provide undergraduate students in nutrition with the opportunity to study the effect of nutrition on enhancing athletic performance.

Alcorn State University Announces Unique STEM-Focused MBA Degree Program

The new STEM-MBA program at Alcorn State, the first of its kind in the state of Mississippi, will prepare students to become business leaders in STEM industries through courses on foundational STEM and business concepts, as well as data analysis and strategic decision-making.

Higher Education Gifts or Grants of Interest to African Americans

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.

Samuel Dagogo-Jack Recognized for Outstanding Diabetes Treatment Research

Dr. Dagogo-Jack of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis has received the 2024 Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Diabetes Research Award from the American Diabetes Association in recognition of his significant contributions to diabetes prevention and treatment research.

Tuskegee University Partners With Cornell University for Digital Biology and Sustainable Agriculture Research

Tuskegee University is the first HBCU to join the Center for Research on Programmable Plant Systems, a collaborative research group led by Cornell University. The center is currently conducting research to develop tools that can communicate with plants.

Report Finds Racial Disparities in Educational Attainment and Access in the United States

Over the past 20 years, Black Americans have made significant progress in educational attainment, but racial disparities remain in certain areas of postsecondary education.

Atlanta University Consortium and Howard University Partner With Kenya on Technology-Driven Research

The newly established EDTECH Africa initiative aims to strengthen the higher education system in Kenya by fostering research and educational collaborations between Kenyan scholars and historically Black colleges and universities.

Winston-Salem State University and Wake Forest University Establish a Pathway Program for Aspiring Physician...

Through their most recent collaboration, the physician assistant program at Wake Forest University will begin formally recruiting Winston-Salem State University students who meet admission requirements and have been recommended by Winston-Salem State University leadership.

Angelo Moore Recognized for Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Cancer Research

The American Cancer Society has presented its annual Fredda Bryan National Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award to Angelo Moore, executive director of the Center of Excellence for Integrative Health Disparities and Equity Research at North Carolina A&T State University.

National Science Foundation Honors Muyinatu Lediju Bell for Early-Career Accomplishments

Dr. Lediju Bell is the John C. Malone Associate Professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, where she teaches in the departments of electrical and computer engineering, biomedical engineering, and computer science. Her research focuses on engineering biomedical imaging systems.

Alabama State University Approved to Offer Doctorate in Occupational Therapy

The new doctoral degree at Alabama State University will ensure its students receive up-to-date academic training, and allow the historically Black institution to maintain a competitive edge with other Alabama schools.

Xavier University of Louisiana to Launch the Country’s Fifth Historically Black Medical School

Once official accreditation approval is granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission, the new Xaiver University Ochsner College of Medicine will become the fifth medical school in the United States at a historically Black college or university.

UCLA and Charles Drew University of Medicine Receive Funding to Support Equity in Neuroscience

Through $9.8 million in funding, the Dana Foundation will establish the UCLA-CDU Dana Center for Neuroscience & Society, which aims to gain a better understanding of the neuroscience needs of historically underrepresented communities in Los Angeles.

American Academy of Physician Associates Launches Program to Increase Diversity in the Field

"Increasing the representation of healthcare providers from historically marginalized communities is of utmost importance for improving health outcomes in all patients,” said Jennifer M. Orozco, chief medical officer of the American Academy of Physician Associates.

Despite Equal Preparedness, Black Students Less Likely Than White Peers to Enroll in AP...

By using a novel statistical measurement of academic-preparedness, researchers from New York University have discovered Black students are less likely to enroll in AP math courses than their White peers who have a similar level of academic-preparedness.

Charles R. Drew University Partners with Sutter Health to Address California’s Health Care Inequities

With $7.5 million in funding from Sutter Health, historically Black Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science's newly accredited medical school will expand its academic offerings and scholarship opportunities.

Report Finds Strong Aptitude But Low Interest for STEM Careers Among Black Students

Educational technology company, YouScience, in partnership with the nonprofit organization, Black Girls Do STEM, have released a report that found despite Black students showing a strong aptitude for STEM fields, they have little interest in pursuing a career in STEM.

Georgia State University Launches Program to Support Black Women in Tech

While Black women account for roughly 29 percent of the Georgia State University undergradaute student body, they represent only 10 percent of the university's computer science majors and 18 percent of the computer information systems majors.

Center for Urban and Coastal Climate Science Research Established at Morgan State University

The new interdisciplinary research center aims to develop effective solutions to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change through collaboration with the global scientific community and policymakers.

Shaw University and Virginia Tech Create Pathway to Teaching Graduate Programs for HBCU Students

"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.

Elizabeth City State University Partners With the University of Tennessee Health Science Center to...

"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.

Virginia State University to Offer New Undergraduate Degree in Mechanical Engineering

"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.

Universities Join the National Science Foundation to Boost Women of Color in Technology Fields

The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has formed the Action Collaborative on Transforming Trajectories for Women of Color in Tech. This joint initiative aims to provide evidence-based insights and recommendations to enhance the recruitment, retention, and advancement of women of color in the tech industry.

Black Women Used Social Networks to Help Them Persist in STEM

The new study sought to shed light on how relationships and community support success for Black women as they pursue education in STEM fields.

Blacks Making Steady Progress in Medical School Enrollments

In 2023, there were a record 10,133 African Americans enrolled at U.S. medical schools. They made up 10.4 percent of total enrollments. In 2015, Blacks were 7.2 percent of total enrollments.

The Many Challenges Facing Black Students Pursuing STEM Doctorates

The research team at the nonprofit RTI International found that Black STEM Ph.D. recipients are considerably more likely to earn their doctorate from a private for-profit institution and that they also take significantly longer to complete their degree and borrow substantially more for their graduate education.

MasterCard Partners With the Atlanta University Center Consortium to Expand Data Sciences at HBCUs

Talitha Washington, a professor of the mathematical sciences at Clark Atlanta University and director of the AUC Data Science Initiative, will lead collaboration with other HBCUs to create new innovations in data science curricula and research.

The First Black Deaf Woman to Earn a Ph.D. in Biochemistry

A native of Sierra Leone in Africa, Dr. Sankoh became deaf at the age of three. She was sent to live with a family friend in the United States at the age of 12. She struggled in school until she was able to master American sign language. She recently earned s Ph.D. in biochemistry from the University of Tennessee.

Six HBCUS Receive Energy Department Funding for Accelerated, Inclusive Research (FAIR) Grants

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced $37 million in funding for 52 projects at 44 institutions that historically have been unrepresented in grant programs of the department. Of the 44 institutions receiving grants, only six are historically Black colleges and universities.

How to Create a Search Process to Boost Diversity in STEM Faculty

A team of biomedical researchers from 16 top engineering programs in the nation has developed a set of processes that helps eliminate traditional barriers to historically excluded groups pursuing academic careers in biomedical engineering.

Clemson University Program Aims to Boost Black Students in Biomedical Engineering

Clemson University in South Carolina is launching the Call Me Doctor Esteemed Scholars Program for undergraduates who are from groups that are underrepresented in STEM and have an interest in conducting biomedically-related research and pursuing a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D after completing their undergraduate degree.

The First Black Woman in Vanderbilt University’s Neurosurgery Residency Program

According to the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons, there are currently only 33 Black women who are in the field of neurosurgery in the United States. Tamia Potter, who completed her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University, will be the first Black women neurosurgery resident at Vanderbilt in the program's 91-year history.

The First Black Woman in Vanderbilt University’s Neurosurgery Residency Program

According to the American Society of Black Neurosurgeons, there are currently only 33 Black women who are in the field of neurosurgery in the United States. Tamia Potter, who completed her medical degree at Case Western Reserve University, will be the first Black women neurosurgery resident at Vanderbilt in the program's 91-year history.

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