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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to Provide Internship Opportunities for Alabama A&M Engineering Students
Through the partnership agreement, students studying engineering at Alabama A&M University will be provided with internship opportunities at the United States Army Engineering and Support Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
North Carolina A&T State University Establishes the Merck Biotechnology Learning Center
North Carolina A&T State University has partnered with Merck, a major pharmaceutical company, to establish the Merck Biotechnology Learning Center, which will provide students with advanced academic opportunities in biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
