Howard Announces Record-breaking $785 Million Real Estate Construction Initiative

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Howard University will be putting its money where its mouth is, announcing the largest construction initiative in the school’s history! Get the full story in the release below.

Fueled by the University’s unprecedented financial strength, this historic investment in the campus master plan will transform Howard’s campus over the next five years, providing new and improved facilities for faculty, students and staff  

Howard University officials today announced plans for the largest construction real estate initiative in the institution’s history. The University will invest  $785 million to build three new state-of-the-art multidisciplinary academic halls and renovate several existing structures, including the historic Myrtilla Miner Building, which sits prominently on Georgia Avenue, that will house the School of Education and the Howard University Middle School for Mathematics and Science. The new academic centers will house teaching and research in health sciences; arts and communications; and associated science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs. The new construction projects are slated to begin this year and are expected to be completed by 2026.  

“This is a watershed moment in the history of our institution,” said Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University. “Because of the tremendously enhanced financial posture we have worked so hard to achieve, the state of the University has never been stronger. The leadership of our board and executive team, along with the caliber of students we have enrolled, the illustrious faculty we have assembled, the dedicated staff we have hired, and the committed alumni base we have cultivated, presents an opportunity for us to solidify Howard’s status as one of the preeminent institutions of higher education in the country.” 

Emerging from continued improvement in the University’s ratings and in conjunction with the priorities established in the Howard Forward strategic plan, this is by far the largest real estate investment in Howard University’s history. The historic investment is part of a phased Central Campus Master Plan (CCMP). Announced in 2020, the CCMP serves as the University’s roadmap for the long-term transformation of Howard’s main campus through capital improvements that align with the University’s mission and vision. These efforts are made possible in part because of enrollment growth, increased philanthropic and public investment in the University, and the University’s efforts to build financial strength as outlined in the five-year strategic plan.  

A Major Step in the Campus Master Plan Ignited by $300M Bond and Record-Breaking Philanthropic Giving 

This historic investment begins the implementation of Howard University’s 2020 Central Campus Master Plan. Unanimously approved by the DC Zoning Commission in 2021, the CCMP serves as the University’s roadmap for long-term transformation of Howard’s main campus through capital improvements that align with the University’s mission, vision and strategy. While the CCMP serves as the roadmap to the largest investment in capital projects on Howard’s campus, this investment would not have been possible apart from an intentional focus on improving the financial strength of the University – a pillar of the Howard Forward strategic plan.  

The University reached record-breaking fundraising totals last year, ending the 2021 fiscal year with $170 million in philanthropic contributions. Already, the University is on track to supersede that record in 2022 with $120 million in philanthropic commitments just six months into the fiscal year. These unprecedented totals represent a far-reaching commitment from Howard University alumni, as well as individual and institutional donors, in the bold vision of Howard Forward. 

In February, the University announced a shift in its national bond ratings by the Fitch and Standard and Poor’s (S&P) credit agencies from stable to positive. Both agencies affirmed Howard University’s $300 million series 2022A taxable bonds, which will support the campus master plan’s first phase.  

The bonds are a critical component in the financing plan that will support the implementation of the CCMP.  

Howard Constructs New Academic Buildings for the First Time Since 1984 

Howard University will construct new academic-targeted centers on its campus, marking the largest investment in academic classroom space in 38 years. The investment in these academic centers was approved specifically to fund academic real estate projects and represents a continuation of the University’s overall investment in campus infrastructure. Howard has undergone significant campus renovations to include the full renovation of the Undergraduate Library in 2021, re-opening of the historic Frederick Douglass Memorial Hall in 2021, and the construction of the Interdisciplinary Research Building (IRB) in 2015. Over the last five years, the University has renovated 80 percent of residence halls with improved security and building system upgrades. The University Central Campus Master Plan also includes roughly 1,500 additional housing units. 

Of the $785 million real estate investment, $670 million will be used to fund three new academic centers: the Health Sciences Complex, which will house the College of Medicine, College of Dentistry, College of Pharmacy and the College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences; the Center for Arts and Communications, which will house the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts and the Cathy Hughes School of Communications; and the STEM Center, which will house various STEM programs and disciplines including physics, chemistry, biology, engineering, mathematics and associated labs. The University will pursue naming right opportunities related to these campus investments in the coming months. This investment will contribute to the University’s growing $2 billion portfolio of real estate and other assets. 

Alabama State University Students Snatch Majority of Awards At STEM Symposium

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Alabama State University students did a sweep at a virtual STEM symposium, and we couldn’t be prouder! Learn more about the HBCU’s stellar performance at the 2022 Research Frontier Symposium in the ASU release below.

Students at Alabama State University won the lion’s share of awards given at this year’s annual 2022 Research Frontier Symposium, which was held virtually at ASU. The symposium is a well-respected national event that highlights academic research with a concentration on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) subjects, with a broader National Science Foundation definition to include chemistry, computer and information technology science, engineering, geosciences, life sciences, physics, astronomy, social sciences, anthropology, economics, psychology and sociology.

Among the 10 national awards presented to winners at the symposium, ASU won half of them with six of its students winning the top honors. All contestants competed in two event categories, which were oral and poster presentation formats. The ASU awardees for oral presentations were Kiersten McCalpine and Kelci Lawrence. ASU winners in the poster presentations were Vanella Tadjuidje, Corrigan Murry and Asia Turner (joint team); and Jordan-Haley McWilliams. 

The 2022 event’s theme was “Innovation in STEM Research.” 

Among the other winners were Christopher J. Gisriel (Yale University), Stephanie Monge (Instituto Tecnológico de Costa Rica), and Atindrah Harishankar, who attends Montgomery’s LAMP High School. 

ASU’s Dr. Harvey Hou, the founder of this well-respected scientific event, and a professor of Forensic Science at the University, explained that the students who competed are from schools located across the United States and abroad. 

“We are very proud that so many of the University’s students did so well at the science symposium,” said Hou, from his laboratory of Forensic Analysis and Photosynthesis. “This reflects well, both on the ASU students who won, as well as on the school’s faculty who teach them and on the strong STEM program that the University’s leadership supports and encourages.”

Fisk University Wins Prize At HBCU Battle of the Brains Presented By the NFL

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Fisk University came out on top at the latest HBCU Battle of the Brains competition presented by the NFL, becoming the last HBCU standing amid 30 other institutions. Get the story from the NFL release below.

Credit: Black Enterprise

The National Football League extended its partnership as the Presenting Sponsor for the 5th Annual HBCU Battle of the Brains competition, which returned to an in-person event at SXSW in Austin, Texas, March 9 – 13, 2022. The annual competition featured over 30 HBCUs with students battling for coveted scholarship prizes. 

“We are excited to continue our long-standing partnership with the HBCU Battle of the Brains,” said Natara Holloway, Vice President, Business Operations & Strategy, NFL. “This event gives us a unique opportunity to get a glimpse of innovative thinking and ideas from an immensely talented group of students from Historically Black Colleges & Universities. The NFL’s commitment to providing a platform that highlights the extraordinary skills and creativity of HBCU students is a priority now and into the future.”
 
SXSW provided a backdrop to highlight and showcase innovative thinking and diversity of minorities in tech and innovation. The 2022 HBCU Battle of the Brains assembled some of the best and brightest STEM and business students from HBCUs across the country to compete for more than $80,000 in total scholarship winnings. The NFL provided the NFL Business Case to the students, who were given 24 hours to provide a solution before pitching to judges in front of a live audience. The competition concluded with students being evaluated on analysis, a business and technology solution, and a final presentation/Q&A. This year’s NFL Business Case was to design and implement a  HBCU STUDENT & ALUMNI PORTAL. The teams were tasked with launching a website or mobile app by researching and finding solutions to the specific focus areas to create an original platform, develop a website or mobile app concept, assign task managers, source content, and organize the website or app launch event to showcase their HBCU Student & Alumni Portal.

The team from Fisk University was awarded the Grand Prize of $50,000. Huston-Tillotson University team came in 2ndPlace winning $20,000 and Morehouse College who finished in 3rd Place won $10,000. In a surprise moment, NFL Legend, and business mogul Marshawn “Beastmode” Lynch announced he and current NFL Players Josh Johnson and Marcus Peters, would donate $10,000 from their foundation towards the scholarships.

Various NFL executives and staff across the league and media offices served as featured speakers, team mentors and competition judges during the four-day event. Gregory Gibson Jr. the Founder & Executive Director of HBCU Battle of the Brains created the competition to support the mission of HBCUs while giving exceptional business and STEM students within the African American community and technology industries a platform to shine. The HBCU Battle of the Brains also demonstrates the NFL’s commitment toward innovation to help advance the sport.

“I am so proud of each of the students that participated in the 5th annual HBCU Battle of the Brains,” said Gibson Jr. “These amazing students deserved to be seen and seen fully, and the full support of the National Football League provided illumination of what these brilliant minds are capable of.”

“The opportunity to serve as a competition judge at the HBCU Battle of the Brains was truly an honor,” said David Jurenka, SVP and General Manager of NFL Media. “It was a difficult decision to choose between so many exceptionally talented teams whose projects were not just thoughtfully constructed, but were also presented in such a dynamic manner that challenged us during deliberations. I look forward to following their journeys in the near future.”

LaMar Campbell, NFL Legend and current Vice President of Player Engagement with the Chicago Bears, witnessed first-hand the brilliance demonstrated by the HBCU students. “The excellence of the men and women that I experienced at the HBCU Battle of the Brains stands as a pinnacle experience in my NFL career”, said Campbell. “The ability to spend time with the amazing students in Austin and learn about the rich history and culture they have built at this event inspires me in a special way that contributes to my day-to-day work with the Chicago Bears. I see myself in them and in turn it contributes to the future and opportunities that I can assist them in achieving because if you want to look towards the future you have to impact the present.”

A featured NFL Panel, The Come Up: Transition from the Field to the Boardroom, included Moderator Steve Wyche, NFL Network Reporter/Host, Devale Ellis, NFL Legend and Actor, Author & Co-host of Dead Ass with Khadeen & Devale, Marcus Allen, NFL Player, Pittsburgh Steelers, Owner of Vibes Universal Apparel, Marcus Peters, NFL Player, Baltimore Ravens, Fam 1st Family Foundation Co-Founder & Owner of Juiceman Apparel, and Kelvin Beachum, NFL Player, Arizona Cardinals and Investor, who shared how they are able to navigate their success on the field as they excel in their business ventures away from the gridiron. The week also included informational meetings with Administrators, HBCU Presidents and top NFL Executives.

A special fireside chat with trailblazing African American women from football and business was moderated by Natara Holloway, NFL Vice President, Business Operations & Strategy with Dr. Valerie Daniels-Carter, one of the most preeminent business owners in the U.S. who is President and CEO of V&J Foods, Holding Companies, Inc., and Board of Directors for the Green Bay Packers and minority owner with the NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks; and Adrian Bracy, Author, and Motivational Speaker whose earlier career included serving 18 years within the NFL as an Executive with the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals and the St. Louis Rams (now Los Angeles Rams) during their first Super Bowl win.

For more information, visit the HBCU Battle of the Brains and follow on Twitter (@hbcubotbrains) and Instagram (@hbcubotbrains).

Atlanta HBCUs Receive Security Tools Amid Bomb Threats

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Atlanta HBCUs are now much more prepared for threats to their campuses thanks to a security company that has provided security tips to them. Get the story from FOX 5 below.

(Credit: Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)

Leaders of historically black colleges and universities in Atlanta are learning how to better respond to bomb threats. 

It comes after Morehouse College instructed people on campus to shelter in place early last week after someone reported a suspicious package. Atlanta is home to other HBCUs threatened this year, including Spelman College. 

Training presented by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency included discussions about how campus security and local law enforcement should respond to threats. 

The event was open to school administrators and law enforcement from dozens of schools across the country. 

Michael Hodge, Executive director of the Atlanta University Center Consortium, said campus police chiefs responded admirably to the threats that were ultimately not deemed credible. He said the conference provided security and police with more tools and methods to protect campuses. 

“We needed to make sure that we secure all of our campuses and deal with the stress and the anxiety that these kinds of things raise in our communities,” Hodge said. “These things are historical in black communities and it’s important we deal with them head-on.”

It’s all to help HBCUs feel self-empowered when securing their campuses. 

The national effort is one of a few federal measures taken to help HBCUs address threats. Vice President Kamala Harris announced new grants to help HBCUs impacted by the threats, including help from the Department of Justice and FBI.

Bomb threats at HBCUs

Monday’s threat was It was not the first against Historically Black Colleges and Universities this year, not even Atlanta. Morehouse alerted its campus of a separate threat in February. 

Spelman College also closed its campus due to a bomb threat. 

The Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, and the FBI launched investigations into the bomb threats that started at the beginning of Black History Month. 

They’ve not altogether stopped since the end of Black History Month. 

“These threats are despicable. They are designed to make us feel fearful and vulnerable,” Spelman President Mary Schmidt Campbell, Ph.D. said in a statement after the college closed its campus.

Coppin State University President Announces Appointment of Development Authority’s Executive Director

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With the intentions of having a significant role in the construction of a new local development, Coppin State University President Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D. has announced who will sit as the development authority’s new executive director. Get the story from the CSU release below.

Coppin State University President Anthony L. Jenkins, Ph.D., today announced the appointment of Chad Williams as the first executive director of the West North Avenue Development Authority. The West North Avenue Development Authority, created through legislation, brings together state, local, and community partners to develop a comprehensive neighborhood revitalization strategy for the West North Avenue Corridor in Baltimore. 

Williams, a native of Washington, D.C., has spent more than 25 years developing affordable housing and economic development initiatives using data analytics, and two decades of experience leading nonprofit organizations and government agencies and engaging public-private partnerships to improve communities.  

“We welcome Chad Williams as Executive Director of the West North Avenue Development Authority,” said President Jenkins. “Mr. Williams brings a depth of experience that will help strengthen relationships that will propel this collaboration forward. Our goal is to create a better quality of life for residents in Baltimore right now, and to strongly position our community for a prosperous future. I look forward to working with Mr. Williams to truly transform the community surrounding Coppin State University and beyond.” 

Executive Director Williams previously served as executive director of the Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority in Las Vegas, NV. He is a military veteran who served in the United States Marine Corps and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of the District of Columbia, with concentrations in urban policy and community planning. 

“I am excited to join the West North Avenue Development Authority and engage with residents, businesses, and other key stakeholders to draw key investment to communities in West Baltimore,” said Executive Director Williams. “With an anchor institution like Coppin State University championing this effort, additional collaboration with all partners, and strategic investment, Baltimore is primed to become a leader in successful urban renewal.” 

The West North Avenue Development Authority plan will focus on revitalization efforts that will benefit residents, housing, neighborhoods, economic development, and transportation in communities located between educational anchor institutions, Coppin State University, and the Maryland Institute College of Art. 

Meetings of the West North Avenue Development Authority are held on the fourth Tuesday of every month. The next meeting will be held virtually on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 beginning at 1 p.m. Members of the public can view the meeting here. 

Bowie State University Opens Nutrition Lounge Offering Free Food And More

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Bowie State University is supporting students outside of the classroom with a new nutrition lounge. Get the full story from the BSU release below.

Sometimes despite your best intentions, things don’t go the way you planned. You didn’t put gas in the car yesterday and now the lines are a mile long. Today your daughter decides to dawdle on the way to daycare. You spend precious morning minutes looking for eyeglasses that were perched on your head — again.

You get to campus, rush through a couple classes and are soon embarrassed by the symphony of grumbles coming from your not-yet-full stomach. And, of course, it’s the day before payday and you have neither the time nor the money to buy lunch.

Catastrophe averted.

Go to the BSU Nutrition Lounge to grab up to three free items, including food, beverages and personal items. After all, that’s the reason the lounge is there — to help those on campus in a pinch. From an emergency replacement lunch for busy commuters, to athletes seeking an energy boost before practice, to residential students who need extra pantry staples for weekend or late night snacks, the lounge provides a ready supply of nutritious items.  Located on the ground floor of the Thurgood Marshall Library, the lounge and is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Students, staff and faculty are welcome.

Local Church Contributes Fresh Fruit to Healthy Options

Recently Zion Church of Landover, Md. partnered with the Nutrition Lounge to provide fresh fruits and personal care items. The lounge had not carried fruit in the past and it was gone in just a few days, illustrating the demand. More fruit is delivered each Monday by the church.

The doors of the BSU Nutrition Lounge opened in February 2020 to address food insecurity on campus. Bowie State partnered with Food Lion and Capital Area Food Bank to ensure the lounge is stocked regularly and abides by strict food safety standards. In its first year, more than 1,200 visitors came through its doors. While they use a tracker to gather statistics on usage, visitation is confidential. While Food Lion is a major monetary donor of the lounge, individuals and local organizations donate money, personal care, and pantry goods to the lounge. Donated money is used to purchase groceries and other items needed to run the Nutrition Lounge efficiently. You too, can donate.

According to Tosin Fashanu, an account specialist and administrative assistant in the Wellness Center, which oversees the Nutrition Lounge, the lounge got a boost following the COVID-19 shutdown with a 5K race sponsored by the athletic department in August 2021 to draw attention to food insecurity. Later in the fall semester, a second 5K walk and campus wellness program spotlighted the need for healthy eating.

In light of recent world events, which have caused price increases in gasoline and food, Tosin suspects there will be a greater need for the Nutrition Lounge. She notes there are plenty of pantry goods such as pasta, pasta sauce, rice, lentils and canned foods that are available for the campus community.

Livingstone College President Headlines Event With Daughter

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In an upcoming event this Friday, Livingstone College President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr. is going to discuss life as one of the HBCU’s longest-serving presidents, while being accompanied by his own daughter. Get the full story from the Livingstone release below.

Livingstone College will host its fourth installment of ‘Fridays at the Stone’ on March 25 and it will be a family affair.

Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr.

The featured speaker will be Livingstone President Dr. Jimmy R. Jenkins, Sr., as he reflects on his 16-year tenure at Livingstone. The business spotlight speaker is Dr. Lisa Davis of Smiles by Design, the president’s daughter.

Networking begins at 7:15 a.m. at the Livingstone College School of Hospitality Management and Culinary Arts, 530 Jake Alexander Blvd., South. The program will start promptly at 7:30 a.m.

Fridays at the Stone is a series of networking and relationship building events, hosted by Livingstone College. Each program typically features three elements: A Livingstone College program spotlight; a minority local business/nonprofit spotlight; and an alumni spotlight. There will not be an alumni spotlight in March.

Dr. Lisa Davis 

Jenkins announced his retirement in February, effective July 1. He is the second longest-tenured president in the history of the college. Most recently, he was inducted into the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Hall of Fame and the CIAA announced it was creating a scholarship in his honor.

Davis has 20-plus years of dental experience, specializing in cosmetics, oral surgery and pediatric dentistry. A graduate of Rutgers Dental School, she completed her residency at the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital. She has also had specialty training at the University of Texas at San Antonio.

“Fridays at the Stone” is an intentional effort by Livingstone College to network and engage more with the community and business leaders, to facilitate relationship building and community partnerships, and to provide an opportunity for the community to learn more about Livingstone College and its programs.

The series is spearheaded by Pete Teague, Livingstone College special assistant to the president for community development; the Office of Communications and Public Relations; and the Office of Alumni Affairs.

Livingstone began the series in October, with the final program of this semester scheduled for April 22. This inaugural breakfast series is sponsored by First Legacy, a division of Self-Help Credit Union.

The event is free and will feature a continental breakfast served by the college’s culinary arts students.

To register, visit Eventbrite at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fridays-at-the-stone-tickets-266367942687 or email livingstone1879@gmail.com. For more information, call (704) 216-6151.

The Propel Center Announces $1M In HBCU Student Scholarships

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Apply By March 25

The next generation of HBCU students must be innovative to solve the problems of tomorrow. Plus, with so much going on in the world, there are plenty of opportunities across science, technology, and other industries for students to do so. To provide students across the country with the resources to do so, the Propel Center has just announced a new program that will ultimately provide $1,000,000 in scholarships! The program was created with support from Apple and Southern Company to advance HBCU students and help transform the nation’s talent pipeline and workforce!

The Propel Center has become a leading source of innovation as a new global HBCU technology and learning hub. As one of the Center’s many outreach initiatives, the newly established 2022 Propel Student Impact Scholarships are now open to receive applications! “We at Propel are committed to not only building the ultimate Black talent pipeline, but also to supporting and sustaining the ever-changing global and diverse workforce experience,” said Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, president of the Propel Center HBCU Consortium. “I am honored and humbled that through this first-of-its-kind scholarship program, and true to our mission, we’re also able to open broader career pathways for our so richly deserving HBCU students.”

Students studying across several industries are being encouraged to apply for the opportunity to earn up to $10,000 each. Ultimately, 100 scholarship recipients will be chosen. Students are encouraged to apply if they are pursuing degree programs that include entrepreneurship, arts and entertainment, agri-tech, social justice, energy and health. If a student’s degree program happens to not be included in that listing, Propel Center still welcomes applications that can provide an explanation as to why they are still a valuable candidate.  The scholarship team is on the lookout for rising sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate student applicants. In addition to receiving the scholarship funds, recipients will also have the coveted opportunity to engage with Propel Center’s corporate partners, such as Apple, through immersive work-based learning.

VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge Co-Chaired Michelle Obama and Chris Paul To Support HBCUs

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The act of voting is one of the easiest ways to empower our community. By simply making it to the ballot box or mailing your vote in, you can help direct resources to students and other people that would be grateful for the aid. To emphasize the value voting within the HBCU community, a new initiative featuring familiar faces has been established.

Launched by Civic Nation’s When We All Vote, the VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge was recently announced by the org’s co-chairs former First Lady Michelle Obama and NBA star Chris Paul. In anticipation of the 2022 midterm elections, the challenge was created to empower HBCU students to spearhead voter registration efforts on their HBCU campuses and within their communities. As part of the efforts, voter education and mobilization will also be part of the efforts.  Because it takes a village, in addition to Mrs. Obama and Paul taking part in the Squad Challenge, supporting partners like HBCU Buzz, as well as BET, Baller Alert, Watch the Yard, and Xceleader’s Vote HBCU program have gotten involved as well.

A key benefit of the Squad Challenge is that participating HBCUs will be receiving grants of up to $3,000, and there is even a special prize incentive. The funds will support voting efforts like voter registration drives, educating voters, training new volunteers and more. Through the partnership with BET, HBCUs with the most creative and impactful Squad Challenge ideas will qualify for prizes like campus events and activations featuring celebrity appearances. 

“As a proud HBCU graduate, I know that our Historically Black Colleges and Universities are the

heartbeat of Black culture, and it’s critical that we make sure voting is a part of that culture,” said Stephanie L. Young, Executive Director of When We All Vote. “For decades, HBCUs have led the way in social change, and I’m excited to work with students, alumni, educators and our partners on HBCU campuses to reach our communities in real and engaging ways that allow our voices to be heard in the midterm elections and beyond. And I’m also thrilled to start this work early to end the cycle of engaging these campuses only in the fall before major elections.” 

To learn more about Civic Nation and the VOTE LOUD HBCU Squad Challenge, head to the website here.

Bill To Replace Kentucky State University’s Board of Regents Heads To Governor

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The government in the state of Kentucky is working to nominate new regents who will help bring Kentucky State University to financial prosperity. The HBCU has struggled with financial ruin and the resignation of its last president as well. Get the story from Tom Latek at Kentucky Today below.

A bill directing Gov. Andy Beshear to name new members to the Kentucky State University of Regents won final passage in the General Assembly on Thursday, after the Senate agreed to changes made by the House.

Senate Bill 265, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem David Givens, R-Greensburg, requires the Governor’s Postsecondary Education Nominating Committee to forward 16 names to Gov. Beshear by March 26, from which he would name eight regents by April 1. This would give the Senate until April 14, the final day of the session, to confirm those nominated. The House made changes to the bill, including delaying the Governor’s deadline to April 4. It also includes a one-time exemption to the state law for the political affiliation and geographic requirements of appointees, to move the process forward.

The Senate unanimously agreed to the House changes, which sends it on to the Governor’s desk.

During his Thursday press conference, Beshear said, “We are already undertaking the efforts to make sure that we can meet the schedule, which is very aggressive. But the sponsor did work with us ahead of time on some different assistance that we would need or some changes that we would need, to do our best to meet that schedule.”

The bill is being considered as a companion measure to House Bill 250, which would provide a $23 million loan to the Frankfort school, so it could meet its obligations through the end of the current fiscal year on June 30.

HB 250 is before the Senate Appropriations and Revenue Committee but has not yet had a hearing, and Beshear says that funding should go through as well. “Making governance changes for the future of the university ought to come with providing the funding to help it survive.  Doing one without the other wouldn’t accomplish any goal because the university cannot survive without that $23 million loan.”

He added, “I support KSU.  We need to do what it takes to continue KSU and its mission. As one of only two historically black colleges and universities in Kentucky, it serves a critical role in this Commonwealth, and I am 100% supportive of the institution, but agree we have to get it on the right track.  We have to make certain changes and make sure that things which happened in the past don’t happen again.”

KSU announced last year that it faced a budget shortfall with unpaid bills and other debts, a ballooning payroll, and several years of poorly managed spending that outpaced revenue.

Beshear placed the university under state oversight after the sudden resignation of school president M. Christopher Brown, last summer.  The school is currently searching for a permanent president.

KSU is also looking for ways to cut about $7 million from its budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1.

Morgan State University Announces Wave of New Key Leadership Hires

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In alignment with efforts to further advance Morgan State University‘s momentum, the HBCU has announced several new leadership hires! Get the story from the MSU release below.

Following an historic and successful fall semester, Morgan State University President David K. Wilson announces new leadership appointments, as the University aims to fortify integral roles in several operational areas and continue its momentum through the new year. The appointments, among the most for the University in a given quarter, will see key hires managing a variety of units, including Human Resources, Alumni Relations, Procurement and Property Control, the University Counseling Center, the Honors College and the new Center for Innovative Instruction & Scholarship. In addition, several interim leadership roles have been filled until permanent appointees are named.

“Simply put, Morgan is growing, and for us to sustain and propel that growth, we need the top people in their chosen field to lead the charge. With this group of new hires, we’re confident in our ability to make significant strides towards bringing our enhanced 10-year strategic plan to fruition,” said President Wilson. “Whether through internal or national searches, we’ve identified quality candidates who are both well-suited to lead and possess the unique capabilities to be integral partners in Morgan’s ascendency.”

Morgan has more than 1,600 employees identified as non-faculty staff. Retirements and the strategic repositioning of units within the University have created several leadership opportunities. Tapping into a wide network of candidates nationwide, and evaluating select current employees, the University was able to address several immediate needs. Included among the new hires are the following:

Chevonie (Logan) Oyegoke has assumed the role of associate vice president and chief human resources officer. In this post, Oyegoke serves as a strategic partner providing leadership, management, policy direction and oversight for all University human resource management functions. Certified by the Society for Human Resource Management, she has nearly 20 years of human resources experience, including more than a decade in higher education, and holds advanced degrees in negotiation and conflict management and human resources management from the University of Baltimore and Bowie State University, respectively. Oyegoke joins Morgan having most recently served as associate HR director with the University System of Maryland.

Heidi Bruce has been hired as the new assistant vice president for Alumni Relations and Strategic Engagement. A Morgan alumna with more than 20 years of combined development and alumni relations experience, including key appointments at the University of Maryland, College Park, George Mason University and Ohio State University, Bruce serves as the primary strategist for alumni engagement, hosting and launching alumni programs and events, and is responsible for leading a comprehensive engagement strategy for some 30,000 Morgan alumni around the world. She most recently served as director of development for the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

OluwaTosin Adegbola, Ph.D., has been promoted to serve as executive director of the Clara I. Adams Honors College while continuing in her role as special advisor to Morgan’s president and student mentor for the President’s Leadership Circle. Dr. Tosin, as she is known to students and colleagues, is an academic leader with an 18-year progressive career having achieved notable success directing initiatives critical to realizing academic excellence. In her new capacity, she is charged with reimagining the Honors College and developing it to operate with national best practices, in addition to producing nationally competitive candidates in the areas of prestigious fellowships, selective career placements and high-powered leadership. Tosin has served in a number of roles at Morgan since 2003, including as chair of the School of Global Journalism and Communication’s Department of Strategic Communication.

Laura Dorsey-Elson, Ph.D., who previously served as director of instruction in the School of Global Journalism and Strategic Communication, has been tapped to serve as director for the newly launched Center for Innovative Instruction & Scholarship (CIIS). After a national search, Dr. Dorsey-Elson was selected to lead the Center’s work, providing faculty, staff and graduate teaching assistants (TAs) to create innovative and active learning environments and produce collaborative scholarship on teaching and learning. Dorsey-Elson brings 25 years of professional experience in higher education as both a faculty member and an administrator with extensive proficiency in organizational training and development.

Erin Oliver-James has assumed the role of the new director for the Office of Procurement and Property Control. As the head of the Office, Oliver-James is responsible for oversight and management of the department and its internal units. A graduate of Hampton University and the Campbell University School of Law in North Carolina, Oliver-James has more than 10 years of leadership and procurement experience. She comes to Morgan from Events DC, where she managed the Office of Contracts and Procurement and its more than $80 million in annual procurements.

Sonya Clyburn, Psy.D., has been hired as the new director for the University Counseling Center. Dr. Clyburn provides leadership, supervision and management for the Counseling Center, which has taken on an increased importance during the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to overseeing policy and program development and implementation and providing crisis management interventions to the campus community. Dr. Clyburn is a licensed clinical psychologist with nearly 20 years of professional experience, including a previous stint at Morgan serving in both a clinical and faculty capacity. Holding advanced degrees from American School of Professional Psychology at Argosy University and Bowie State University, she spent the past seven years overseeing a private practice based in Kensington, Maryland, before her return to Morgan. 

While Morgan has been diligent in selecting a number of permanent hires for leadership roles, the University has elevated others in an interim capacity until long-term hires are identified. Among the recent interim hires are Erlease M. Wagner, interim vice president and athletic director; Phyllis Keys, Ph.D., interim associate vice president for Academic Affairs; Natasha Lewis-Williams, interim associate vice president for Student Affairs; Douglas F. Gwynn, Ph.D., interim associate vice president for Student Affairs; and Dale P. Alston, interim director for the Murphy Fine Arts Center.

“This is a unique period within the University’s history. As at many institutions nationwide, the prolongment of the pandemic has prompted some longtime Morgan staffers to pursue retirement and others to reevaluate employment options. However, at Morgan, we’ve embraced this as a great opportunity to bring in new energy and new ideas,” said Sidney Evans Jr., executive vice president for Finance and Administration at Morgan. “We will continue to work diligently and effectively to recruit and fill as many positions as possible from within or outside of the University. If there are candidates available and looking for a great place to excel and make a difference…then Morgan is the place they want to be.”

Entrepreneur And Grambling State Alumna Returns To Her Campus To Teach Yoga

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Grambling State University alumna Alexia P. Hammonds has taken time away from her busy schedule as a successful entrepreneur to teach fitness to the student body that she was once a part of. Get the scoop from the GSU release by De’Vante Martin below.

The accomplished Alexia P. Hammonds is back and determined to make a difference at Grambling State. 

Hammonds is currently back at GSU teaching yoga classes from Monday through Thursday at 4:15 p.m. in the newly opened recreation center.

The all-level class is challenging students’ minds and bodies, including stretching, strengthening the core, and building endurance.

“Between (GSU President Rick Gallot) and (former GSU Vice President) Martin Lemelle, they talked me back into finishing my degree,” Hammonds said. 

Hammonds attended Grambling from 2000-04, majoring in political science and crossing the sorority of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Within her mentoring of young girls, Hammonds says the word she always uses is “finish,” and she wants to be a living example of that.

Before coming back to finish her degree, Hammonds taught yoga, Pilates, and dance internationally. She also became a teacher trainer, where she has helped many people get credentials in teaching fitness. Hammonds has also made her mark in the beauty industry as she is the Founder of Eat. Sweat. Undress and the first-ever black woman to formulate hair fragrances in Grasse, France.

She has taught at multiple levels, including professionals such as the NBA and NFL.

“This is my first time teaching at an HBCU, which is really special,” Hammonds said.

While teaching in the intramural, Hammonds says her class has really grown.

 “I really enjoy it because not only am I taking them through a workout, but I am also making sure they are retaining the information for each class that they come to,” she said.

Hammonds believes this will help create building blocks for each class physically, and also mentally for students. She believes yoga will help alleviate stress for students and will give them an avenue for mediation and physical health.

Although the university pushed the word of students having their own mat, some did not have one. Hammonds has also provided mats for the students who did not have one, and she has purchased over 60 mats for the class.

The students have also had their effect on Hammonds. She says they have inspired her to be a better person.

Hammonds thinks Grambling could really go far with yoga. She says she would love for GSU to have its own satellite Pilates studio. 

“It starts with the mat because that’s the most economical thing,” Hammonds said. She also teased the option of Grambling having teacher trainer classes for yoga and Pilates starting this summer. 

The possibility of these classes includes GSU students and anyone in Grambling over the age of 18, and it gives the chance to find a trade.

Hammonds also threw out the possibility of GSU adding yoga and Pilates classes to GSU’s Kinesiology department. The classes are still in the works, but if added they will be electives in the department. 

Hammonds said he is also going to be working with multiple sports teams on campus including the football, baseball, and softball teams.

With her busy schedule between fitness, beauty, and fashion, Hammonds still is making time to be a difference at GSU, making it the first HBCU to teach yoga and Pilates in a classical way, and Hammonds is the driving force behind that. 

Howard University Women’s Basketball Team Earns First NCAA Tournament Win

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Howard University has an occasion to celebrate, as the women’s basketball team has just won its very first NCAA tournament! Get the full story from WJLA below.

Brooklynn Fort-Davis had 15 points and 10 rebounds, Krislyn Marsh added 14 points and 17 rebounds and Howard beat fellow No. 16 seed Incarnate Word 55-51 on Wednesday night in the first women’s First Four game.

Howard (21-9), in its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2001, advanced to play overall No. 1 seed South Carolina (29-2) in the Greensboro Region.

Howard guard Gia Thorpe (13) celebrates a basket during the second half of a First Four game against Incarnate Word in the NCAA women’s college basketball tournament Wednesday, March 16, 2022 in Columbia, S.C. (Credit: AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Iyanna Warren made a floater in the lane and followed with a long jumper on Howard’s next possession to extend the lead to 47-42 with 4:53 left.

Fort-Davis ended Howard’s three-minute scoreless stretch with a shot under the basket for a 49-46 lead with 1:20 remaining. She added a basket at 43 seconds and a free throw with 35.8 left for a four-point lead. Kaniyah Harris gave Howard a seven-point lead in the closing seconds before Destiny Jenkins beat the final buzzer with a long 3-pointer.

Destiny Howell, the MEAC tournament most outstanding player, picked up two fouls in the first quarter and played just nine minutes in the first half before finishing the game with 11 points for Howard. The Bison shot just 30.9% from the field, but held a 53-34 advantage on the glass.

Tiana Gardner scored 16 points for Incarnate Word (13-17) in the program’s first NCAA Tournament appearance. Jaaucklyn Moore, who led the Southland Conference at 17.6 points per game, added 14 points. Chloe Storer beat the third-quarter buzzer with a long 3-pointers, following an offensive rebound, to give Incarnate Word a 38-35 lead.

Howard missed 14 straight shots in the first half, going six-plus minutes without a point, before Fort-Davis’ putback ended the field-goal drought to get within 22-19. Howard shot just 28.6% in the first half, including 1 of 12 from 3-point range, but outrebounded Incarnate Word 27-15 to stay within 28-26 at the break.

Howell gave Howard its first lead, 35-33, since it was 17-15 with a steal and fast-break layup to snap her string of 10 straight misses with 1:36 left in the third quarter.

Howard and Incarnate Word are two of the four automatic qualifiers in the First Four games, after winning conference tournaments, as he NCAA expanded the tournament field to 68 teams.

Hampton University Aids Students Displaced By Ukrainian Crisis With Free Room, Board and Tuition

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A Virginia HBCU is going above and beyond to aid causes of social justice and housing security. It was recently announced that Hampton University will be donating its resources to help those displaced by the ongoing Russian takeover in Ukraine. Rather than just fundraise, or stand idly by as stranded Ukrainians are losing their homes, the university will become a hub of refuge. The invitation has also remarkably been extended to international students studying in Ukraine before the takeover as well. Get the full story in the Hampton University Office of University Relations release below.

In a humanitarian effort to help those college students and families affected by the current conflict in Ukraine, Hampton University President Dr. William R. Harvey has announced that it will invite 50-100 Ukrainian and international college students presently studying in Ukraine to continue their education on HU’s campus this summer. 

“The collective Hampton University faculty, staff and students are heart-broken because the war-torn country of Ukraine must deal with atrocities like the bombing of maternity wards, hospitals and other civilian areas,” said Hampton University President, Dr. William R. Harvey. “I think this partnership is something that can be beneficial to a great number of students and families.  My entire career has been focused on helping people to achieve and meet their goals.” 

Ukrainian and international college students affected by the combat will be able to attend classes at Hampton for the 2022 Summer Session, receive room, board and tuition for the summer, and have the option to stay at Hampton at the regular tuition and fees rates once the Summer Session is over. 

In 2019, Dr. Harvey reached out to Dr. Rodney Smith, the President of the University of the Bahamas, the former Vice President for Administrative Services at Hampton University, and offered a similar agreement to students from the University of the Bahamas who had their north campus obliterated because of Hurricane Dorian. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Charitta D. Quimby, Vice President and Presidential Chief of Staff at 757-727-5231.

Howard University Staff Announce Plan To Go On Strike

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Howard University faculty are edging towards a strike amid tensions over working conditions. Learn more in the story from Donovan Dooley at NewsOne.

Members of Howard University‘s faculty have threatened to go on strike over complaints of their working conditions. 

During a demonstration Wednesday that saw multiple Howard professors in attendance along with students, some university faculty threatened to execute a strike starting next week if they could not reach an agreement with the university by this Friday.

The tension on campus seems to be stemming from frustration from non-tenured track faculty members who have said that Howard is not doing enough to allow them to be successful at their jobs. The main concerns from the educators center on adequate pay, job stability and appreciation for the work that they do to teach Howard students every single day. 

According to interviews that were reported by journalist Chuck Modiano on campus and posted on Twitter, the instructors have sent a proposal to Howard’s administration that was also signed by tenured track professors in conjunction with the non-tenured track professors. 

A few of the supporters at the demonstration said that Howard was not negotiating in good faith with the educators and that a huge aspect of the institutional dysfunction was falling on these professors and they are being asked to pick the pieces up. 

The faculty members said they would begin their strike on March 23 if their ultimatum is not met. 

Howard did not immediately release a statement addressing the demonstration on campus Wednesday. 

It has been a controversial academic year for Howard, to say the least. The school made national headlines in the fall after students protested for around a month to bring attention to faulty living conditions on campus as well as other grievances. 

The standoff between the students and the administration ended after a confidential agreement was reached between the two parties. 

“While the specific terms of the agreement are confidential, it can be said without any hesitation or reservation that the students courageously journeyed on a path towards greater university accountability and transparency and public safety,” Donald Temple, a lawyer representing the students, said at a news conference at the time according to NBC News . “And this agreement marks a meeting of the minds between them regarding the issues of concern.” 

Howard’s NAACP chapter president, Channing Hill, also spoke on the subject. 

“We got what we came for. We got increased scrutiny,” Hill said at the time. “We got increased transparency and increased accountability. And by virtue of this protest, we garnered everything that we were entitled to.” 

Only time will tell if Howard’s faculty and the administration can also reach an agreement that will settle the university’s latest controversy in the next few days.

U.S. Department of Education Announces Funding To Support HBCUs Affected By Bomb Threats

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HBCUs that have been affected by bomb threats will receive mental health resources, security, and other resources thanks to new federal funding. Get the full story from the release below.

This is the second time Howard University in D.C. has recently faced a bomb threat. | Jacquelyn Martin/AP Photo

Today, Vice President Kamala Harris and the U.S. Department of Education (Department) announced that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) that have recently experienced a bomb threat resulting in a disruption to the campus learning environment, are eligible to apply for grant funds under the Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) program.

Project SERV provides short-term immediate funding for local educational agencies (LEAs) and institutions of higher education (IHEs) that have experienced a violent or traumatic incident to assist in restoring a safe environment conducive to learning.

“The recent bomb threats experienced by HBCUs have shaken students and fractured their sense of safety and belonging, which are critical to their academic success and wellbeing,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “We, at the Department of Education, recognize how these threats evoke a painful history of violence against Black Americans in this country that is especially traumatizing to HBCU students, faculty, and staff. Today’s announcement will improve access to Project SERV grants for HBCUs as these institutions work to address students’ mental health needs, shore up campus security, and restore learning environments so that they can get back to doing what they do best—educating the next generation of great leaders.”

The Department will work with HBCUs that have received recent bomb threats to determine if Project SERV can help with immediate needs, such as targeted mental health resources or enhanced security to restore the learning environment on their campuses. Funding for Project SERV is limited, and awards typically range from $50,000 to $150,000 per school.

“The bomb threats against HBCUs, particularly concentrated in Black History Month, constitute a uniquely traumatic event, given the history of bombings as a tactic to intimidate and provoke fear in Black Americans during the long struggle for civil rights in the 20th century,” said Dietra Trent, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities. “In this context, even the threat of bombings at HBCUs can have a deep and unsettling impact on students, faculty, and staff that significantly disrupts the learning environment. Our HBCUs are pillars of strength and resiliency, and we will continue working to promote policies and practices that fortify that strength and advance educational equity, excellence, and economic opportunity through these institutions.”

The Biden-Harris Administration is taking a whole-of-government approach to ensuring the safety and well-being of students, staff and faculty, and addressing these repeated threats to HBCU campuses. Following the first reports of the threats, Secretary Cardona and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas hosted a briefing with more than 40 presidents of HBCUs from across the nation to share information about grant programs, training resources, and other tools available to HBCUs to strengthen campus safety and security. Biden-Harris Administration leaders have also recently visited HBCU campuses, hearing firsthand about the need to modernize and update their operations, including campus safety and security, and the need for more resources to help bolster mental health services due to increased apprehension across the campus community.

In addition to today’s announcement, the Department will provide HBCUs with a compendium of the resources that are available across the Federal government. These other resources can help with long-term improvements to campus mental health programs, campus safety and emergency management planning and response.

An HBCU that experienced a recent bomb threat may receive more information about the opportunity for support under Project SERV by emailing project.serv@ed.gov.