Tagged: Tennessee State University

Tennessee State University's Learotha Williams, Jr. is the new Davidson County Historian, Tia-Simone Gardner was awarded tenure at Macalaster College in Minnesota, and Jonli Tunstall was appointed associate vice provost of student diversity and director of the Academic Advancement Program at the University of California, Los Angeles.

The appointments are Jazz M. Lewis at the University of Maryland, Jeremy Patterson at Lane College in Tennessee, April Robinson at Tennessee State University, and Reginald Miller at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

In December 2024, Tennessee State University administrators said they were headed towards a $46 million deficit by June 2025. Now, the HBCU is celebrating a major financial turnaround under the leadership of President Dwayne Tucker.

A new report published in the Tennessee Lookout has examined just how much money the state of Tennessee owes Tennessee State University as a result of missed land-grant funding, disparities in per pupil funding between the HBCU and the University of Tennessee, and segregation scholarships that took money directly from the TSU budget.

Hampton University, Morehouse College, Tennessee State University, and Virginia State University have each received $500,000 matching grants from the Southern Company Foundation to establish endowed professorships in sustainability-related fields. The grants are the latest additions to the foundation's ongoing pledge to invest $50 million to HBCUs in the utility company's service area.

The appointments are Anthony Campbell at Harvard University, Julie James at Tennessee State University, Charlotte Barns at Delaware State University, and Chantell Link at Lone Star College in Texas.

The new agreement will provide Tennessee State University students studying human performance and sports science with hands-on training opportunities in athletic training and sports medicine at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Eloise Abernathy Alexis and Cassandra Griggs are taking on new leadership roles in institutional advancement. Natasha Johnson will serve as chief human resources officer.

“This is not just an academic milestone; it is a pivotal moment for our community and the future of public health,” said Dr. Mohamed Kanu, interim dean of the College of Health Sciences at Tennessee State University.

“This facility will provide a world-class space that enhances interdisciplinary collaboration across six undergraduate programs, three master’s programs, and one Ph.D. program,” said Dr. Lin Li, dean of the Tennessee State University College of Engineering. “It will also host innovative engineering activities that directly benefit the metro Nashville area and Middle Tennessee.”

“My focus remains on putting TSU on a path to sustainability. With the help of our state legislators, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the Tennessee Board of Regents, and other supporters, we will extend the legacy of TSU,” said President Tucker, who has led the HBCU on an interim basis since December 2024.

The appointments are Brandon Toliver at Tuskegee University in Alabama, Brandon Nzekwe at the College of Southern Maryland, Kenyatta Shamburger at Grambling State University in Louisiana, Christa Burgess at Augsburg University in Minnesota, Eric Stokes at Tennessee State University, and J. Lee Brown at Elizabeth City State University in North Carolina.

For the past six years, Dr. Ford taught kinesiology at Prairie View A&M University in Texas. With degrees in computer science and health and human performance, she conducted extensive research on disability sport, racial and health inequities, the integration of AI in kinesiology, and culturally responsive teaching practices.

A new memorandum of understanding with the state of Tennessee will allow Tennessee State University to redirect $96 million in state funding to address financial and operational needs. Previously, the funds were exclusively allocated for facility improvements.

The Tennessee State University Early Learning Center will now provide year-long childcare services for families in Nashville and beyond. The expanded center will create new hands-on training opportunities for early childhood education students.

“Throughout my career in higher education, I have been a strong proponent of student achievement,” said Dr. Hargrove. “I am excited to lead Elizabeth City State University with a focus on academic excellence and success, fiscal and leadership stability, and a vision for growth and elevated reputation.”

Dr. Green had recently retired from the presidency of Governors State University on March 1. She was the university's sixth president and first Black leader. Her background in higher education included over three decades of experience as an administrator professor of psychology.

Dorsey West, a Tennessee State University alumnus, has created a new alumni giving and wealth building network to provide consistent financial support to HBCUs and the entrepreneurs they produce.

The Honda All-Star Challenge is an annual academic competition for students and faculty at historically Black colleges and universities. This year's top finisher, Hampton University, received a $100,000 grant for their win.

This year, the qualifications for achieving the R1 Carnegie Classification were simplified. Now, institutions must simply award a minimum of 70 doctorates and spend at least $50 million on research per year. These updated metrics have the potential to increase the number of HBCUs with R1 status.