A student at Grambling State University has been chosen as a top representative for the State Early Literacy Commission! Get the full story from GSU below.
Jayla Williams, a senior at Grambling State University, has been selected as the preservice teacher representative for the Louisiana Department of Education Early Literacy Commission. The Louisiana Association for Colleges of Teacher Education (LACTE) chose Williams to represent the association on the commission.
Jayla Williams
The Early Literacy Commission aims to study and make recommendations on how best to develop and implement a system that provides effective, evidence-based reading instruction for children from early childhood through third grade.
Williams, an elementary education major from Shreveport, La., will travel to Baton Rouge periodically to serve on a panel to achieve the literacy goals set forth for the children of Louisiana.
Dr. Cheyrl Mansfield Ensley, interim department head/associate professor in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership nominated Williams for the position. Among other reasons, she said when Williams began her residency (formerly student teaching), she stood out.
“Within the first few days, she received accolades from her principal,” Ensley said. Williams is also active in education-related activities including serving as a member of Aspiring Educators, where she serves as the media coordinator. She offers after school tutoring for students in grades K – 12 via Joyous Learning with Jayla which celebrated its one-year anniversary in August.
“She has helped students increase test scores and improve grade level reading. As a result, she continues to receive recommendations from satisfied customers,” Ensley said.
Williams said she is excited about serving in the role on the commission for LACTE.
“I’m very passionate about all things education so to be recognized and nominated by our department head, Dr. Ensley, I am extremely honored,” she said.
Williams added that she hopes this opportunity will help her inspire future educators.
“Words cannot express how grateful I am for this opportunity,” she said. “I hope by receiving this nomination I can inspire other students coming through Grambling’s Teacher Ed program and show that our gifts and opportunities are limitless.”
She aims to “represent all preservice teachers and children across the state, the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, and my beloved GramFam.”
Debbie Thomas, dean of the GSU College of Education, said Williams is “the epitome of excellence as a dedicated student and future educator. The College of Education is proud to call Jayla one of our brightest stars.”
After graduation, Williams plans to move to Memphis to complete a teacher residency program and obtain a master’s degree in urban education.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. just celebrated its fourth year raising a goal of $1 million for HBCUs, and this year the goal was exceeded by double! Read the official release below to learn more about the sorority’s efforts.
For the fourth consecutive year, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated® has earmarked a progressive goal to raise $1 million in 24 hours for their national HBCU Impact Day. Set for Monday, September 20, 2021, the annual HBCU Impact Day is a part of the sorority’s four-year $10 million fundraising goal led by AKA International President and CEO Dr. Glenda Glover. The organization’s more than 300,000 college-educated members, corporate partners, and donors have been challenged to contribute funds to assist with the ongoing fiscal sustainability and operations of the more than 100 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) around the country.
Breaking News!! We have surpassed our goal and raised over $2MM for HBCUS!! Thank you for your dedication and commitment!! pic.twitter.com/kmVcpOQh4L
“Despite the recent national attention given to HBCUs in 2021 and incremental state and federal funding, HBCUs still lag far behind other institutions of higher learning when it comes to ongoing and sustainable support,” said Dr. Glover who is also the president of Tennessee State University and an HBCU graduate.
In 2021, the sorority gifted $1.6 million to 35 eligible four-year HBCUs. The endowments on these campuses will grow in perpetuity and help schools reduce student debt through scholarships, fund industry-specific research, and provide much-needed infrastructure maintenance.
HBCUs continue to face the double threat of a global pandemic and being under-resourced. Although the country is opening up, COVID-19 is ever evolving and brings a high level of uncertainty on whether students can safely return to campus for in-person learning. “Now more than ever is the time for Alpha Kappa Alpha to step up—as we have done for more than 113 years—and be of service to our historic institutions of higher education,” added Dr. Glover. “Currently, HBCUs account for nearly 25% of bachelor’s degrees granted to African Americans.
I cannot imagine a world without HBCUs, but I can imagine how much stronger the world would be if we all supported the HBCU community.”
Members and supporters have surpassed the $1 million goal. Last year’s Impact Day raised $1.3 million in 2020.
HBCU Impact Day is part of the sorority’s recognition of HBCU Week. On September 20, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority chapters around the globe will host fundraising events in support of the $1 million fundraising goal. Interested donors can make contributions by giving by mail or online at http://donate.akaeaf.org during the 24-hour campaign. For more information on the sorority’s commitment to HBCUs, visit www.AKA1908.com
From what to wear, where to eat, and what to pack, Xfinity has you covered.
Those who have experienced an HBCU homecoming understand the assignment. Students, alumni, and family of an Historically Black College and University gather to partake in the excitement of celebrating the heritage and culture of the school. It’s a time of joy, honoring traditions, and for some, reflecting on the good ol’ days. Homecoming weekends are spent eating well, laughing plenty, and enjoying the sights; and there is plenty to see! (Spoiler alert: Sleep is not on the syllabus.)
There’s no such thing as doing too much for homecoming. People order outfits months in advance and have items custom made & tailored; it’s a time to show up and show out, whether you are planning to attend or be there in spirit.* For those who will be present, you never know who you might bump into at the tailgate – from famous alumni to journalists or photographers. Students have actually launched full modeling careers during homecoming weekend.
*Due to a recent surge in COVID-19 cases, select HBCU homecoming sanctioned events have been rescheduled or are TBD.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUGPghCgcZ9/
It’s Called Fashion, Honey
HBCU college students are known for dressing well just to go to class, so of course homecoming weekend is a high-profile event! The yard becomes a personal runway and everyone on campus has a front-row seat to the hottest show in town— they’re looking to be impressed. Attendees have a major task; prepping outfits for the yard, tailgating, the game, and parties. Here are our three favorite style categories:
The Effortless O.G.
For those traveling to their college towns, overpacking is inevitable (we don’t blame you). Yes, bring extra outfits and let your mood guide your choice. We suggest seeking out boutique items online or handmade pieces from your hometown so there’s no doubt that you’ll stand out. Avoid showing up in the same outfit—fresh off a mannequin—from everyone’s go-to stores.
Comfort Queen
So a 3-piece suit with a bow tie, high socks and hard dress shoes doesn’t exactly scream cozy. It’s okay to switch up your homecoming attire to something more comfortable, because even in the GOAT outfit, limping around in painful heels and tugging at a rising skirt all night is simply not appealing. We suggest a dress rehearsal! Take a lap around the house in whatever you plan to dance, eat, or drink in for hours on end – Are those leggings see-thru? Can you dance how you want to? Remember, comfort can always be made cute!
Classy & Confident
Have you picked up a few quarantine pounds? You could join the club, but we’re pretty full. So consider your evolving body when preparing for the big weekend. Aim for garments that meet you where you are, complimenting new curves and all of your fabulousness. This weekend is about you doing you, so do it well, and take those selfies! But most importantly—have fun, confidence really is the key!
Before the start of the pandemic, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Office of International Programs and Studies implemented a pilot education abroad program in Antigua, Guatemala. Dr. Pamela D. Moore, associate dean for global engagement at UAPB, said the program is currently being expanded for increased student participation. It is also going to be part of a new minor degree program at the university.
“Plans are in progress for this pilot program to become an integral component of a Spanish minor degree track – a first for UAPB,” Dr. Moore said. “This is great news for the university because not only will this make it easier for students to improve their Spanish language skills, but it will also strengthen their academic and career credentials.”
Members of the UAPB cohort to Guatemala during a visit to Volcán Pacaya.
For example, students with solid Spanish-speaking skills will be able to pursue careers with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service or businesses that specialize in international agricultural trade, she said. The UAPB program in Guatemala also develops the soft skills needed to work effectively in global career tracks across multiple disciplines.
Five UAPB students completed the one-month pilot program, which emphasized Spanish instruction, service learning and exposure to the culture and social customs of Guatemalan society. Participants included Leon Jones, Alyssa Smith, Cynamon Gates, Randy Thompson and DeMario Williams.
“The program enhances students’ appreciation of different cultures and teaches them about human poverty and the food needs of other societies,” she said. “It also strengthens their skills in teamwork and group dynamics. Most importantly, the students develop a profound sense of confidence in their abilities as they step out of their comfort zone to navigate the realities and challenges of living and learning in a foreign country.”
The 2019 pilot program
During the program, the students received one-on-one intensive language instruction by individually assigned tutors at La Union Spanish School in Antigua. These lessons were reinforced through an immersion experience, including living arrangements with Guatemalan families and daily interactions that took place through a range of organized activities.
Service-learning activities included agricultural and educational work. The students gained hands-on experience with gardening techniques and animal care practices at Eco Farms, a demonstration farm in San Felipe, Antigua that emphasizes sustainable farm practices. They also volunteered at Proyecto Genesis, a community organization, where they taught children the English alphabet, numbers and primary colors.
The students’ weekly program featured various cultural activities, including a visit to an active volcano site. Another highlight was a weekend excursion to the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna community in Livingston, Izabal, Guatemala. Through interactions with community members, they learned about the history of Black Guatemalans and their roots in the African diaspora. They learned about their day-to-day life and the challenges they faced and compared these experiences with that of African Americans.
“The program in Guatemala is a great example of how students can return from a study abroad program with competencies that will serve them in their future careers,” Dr. Moore said. “Each participant said the skills they acquired are applicable to their future careers.”
Dr. Moore said three of the participants recently shared takeaways from the experience.
“It is my hope their stories will motivate some UAPB students to sign up for the subsequent program, enroll in the new Spanish minor degree track or even just consider an education abroad experience for the first time,” she said.
Alyssa Smith
During the summer after her sophomore year, Smith, a 2021 graduate of political science, traveled to Antigua independently to participate in a two-month Spanish language program. After she completed that solo trip, she started working with Dr. Moore and Juan Carlos Martínez, director of La Unión Spanish School, to develop the current program for UAPB students in Guatemala.
She said, “This was the first time I had to organize and facilitate a group trip, especially abroad. This was also my first traveling experience where I was responsible for someone other than myself. I gained leadership, communication and organizational skills.
Interacting with the Afro-Guatemalans in Livingston was an amazing experience. I felt at home, seeing all the cultural customs we share. It was disheartening to learn they are fighting for the same civil rights that we fought for many years ago and continue to fight for now. When I go back to Guatemala, I want to spend more time in the community to learn about their language and way of life.
While volunteering with the children of Project Genesis and Niños de Jesús, I realized that I want to tutor and teach English professionally. Even though it requires a lot of patience and can be very draining, I really enjoyed the experience of working with children. Since then, I have tutored English in China and continue to do so for a Chinese education company.”
Smith is currently in the process of applying to the Peace Corps for an elementary English teaching position in Costa Rica. If accepted, she will live and work in the Central American country for at least two years.
Cynamon Gates
Gates, a senior major of animal science, is currently working toward achieving her dream job as an international veterinarian. During her studies, her goal has been to educate herself in both domestic and foreign agriculture so she can someday help animal species across the globe.
She said, “Traveling to a foreign country was a strategic part of my career goal as an aspiring international veterinarian. It inspired me to strive to make a difference in developing countries. Helping the street animal and livestock populations within foreign communities and using techniques to enhance the growth of the crops are also prominent parts of my career goals.
Volunteering at Eco Farms was a great and relatable experience for me that tailored to my focus of study as an agriculture-animal science major. I worked with a variety of animals and encountered many indigenous grasslands, which expanded my career outlook.
My biggest takeaways from the program are how traveling to this developing country and seeing stray animals on every corner enhanced my vision of becoming an international veterinarian. It has given me even more drive to save the underprivileged animals that cannot receive help.”
Gates recently enlisted in the U.S. Army: Veterinary Corps. The Army will finance her four-year veterinary college education, which she plans to begin in 2022. Upon completion of veterinary school, as a licensed veterinary specialist, she will be sent to foreign and domestic locations on active duty.
Leon Jones
Jones, a senior political science major, had traveled abroad prior to enrolling at UAPB and knew he would want to take advantage of education abroad opportunities during college.
He said, “Being exposed to people of diverse cultures and backgrounds made me more culturally aware and taught me how to communicate with people that think differently than me.
The biggest takeaway I had from the Guatemala program was from interactions with the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna community. Learning about the struggles they had in their own fight for civil rights gives me more perspective on the global struggles that Black people experience. Another thing that stuck with me was the similarities in food that we have. We all have roots in Africa, and Africans that were brought to the Americas also brought with them their food. To see the similarities of our staple foods and knowing that we all have the same roots made us feel like family.
My trip did not change my academic or career goals, but it did give me a new perspective in my studies. I want to go into public service as a career – being in Guatemala gave me another angle to look at policy.”
Currently president of the UAPB Student Government Association, Jones hopes to set up a fund or scholarship for students who want to study abroad but feel they lack the funds. He said lifting some of the burden of payment off students would not only enable but encourage some students to travel abroad.
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders during the game against Tennessee State on Sept. 11 (Credit: Henry Taylor/Commercial-Appeal)
Jackson State football coach Deion Sanders wants to help an in-state rival.
Sanders offered his assistance to get the Alcorn State football program some athletic trainers during Monday’s Southwestern Athletic Conference call.
“I could get them (some trainers),” Sanders said. “I’m not trying to (belittle them), but that’s phone calls, man. I mean, I wish we have the relationship that we could call each other, because, how many hospitals we have here in the city? I promise, I would’ve done it myself, sent you several trainers back because those kids deserve to get down, they deserve to play. We can’t practice? Because the trainers? Like, please.”
The Braves missed two days of practice last week due to not having available trainers on campus, reportedly because of COVID-19-related issues.
“You have to have a certified athletic trainer on campus in the building to do these things, and we didn’t have one,” Alcorn State coach Fred McNair said on his radio show last week. “That’s such a discouraging thing to me that we’re not doing a good enough job to bring in someone of our own to be an athletic trainer at Alcorn State University.”
Despite missing the two days of practice, the Braves nearly upset South Alabama, which competes in the Football Bowl Subdivision, 28-21. On Monday, McNair said his players missed opportunities to condition without the practices.
“My brother McNair, and that’s a darn good coach,” Sanders said. “That’s a darn good, shoot, good team. Man, my brother McNair, if you can hit me right now, if you have a problem call me. If I can help, I’m going to help. Immediately. This is bigger than the little rivalry. This is about these kids, man. And I got love for that brother. He’s a good dude.”
Jackson State and Alcorn State have one of the fiercest rivalries in Mississippi, known as The Soul Bowl. This season’s Soul Bowl is set to take place at on Nov. 20 in Mississippi Veterans Memorial Stadium to close the regular season.
Sanders said when Southern Miss recruited his son Shedeur in high school, he attended USM’s game against Alcorn State and spoke to McNair and the Braves in the locker room after the game because he knew how good the program was in the SWAC.
Sanders said Alcorn’s lack of trainers was not McNair’s fault.
“Now, that’s a problem up top,” Sanders said. “That that’s not him, that’s a problem somewhere else there, that’s a problem for him. We need to address that, and whoever is allowing that to happen needs to be checked. You get this man, he has a wonderful program year after year, and he wins. And you’re going to allow that to happen to him? Please. That’s one of our treasures in the HBCU, we’ve got to have his back.”
Alcorn State travels to face Arkansas-Pine Bluff at on Thursday night.
Bowie State University upcoming homecoming week will be exciting, but won’t come without increased safety measures due to COVID-19. Get the full story from the BSU official release below.
Pregame festivities before the homecoming game against Chowan, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019.
Bowie State University will celebrate Homecoming Week 2021, Sept. 26 – Oct. 3, with enhanced COVID-19 protocols and scaled-back student activities to protect players and fans against the continuing spread of the delta variant.
Only fully vaccinated persons will be allowed to attend the football game that pits the mighty Bulldogs against the Johnson C. Smith Golden Bulls on Oct. 2 at 2 p.m. in Bulldog Stadium. Proof of vaccination card and photo ID will be required to purchase tickets and enter the stadium.
No tailgating will be allowed and fans must exit immediately following the game. No activities will be permitted on the Greek plots or other campus locations on game day.
All persons attending the game and other activities during the week must adhere to the existing campus COVID-19 requirements, which include:
No tailgating pre- or post-game, and fans must exit the campus immediately after the game
No activities on the Greek plots or other game locations on game-day
Masks are required in all indoor locations for all individuals including vaccinated individuals, unless actively eating
Masks are required for large outdoor gatherings of 100 persons or more, including in the stadium
Social distancing of at least three feet is encouraged at all times
Anyone who is experiencing COVID-19 symptoms or who has been exposed to someone who has tested positive, should refrain from attending any events to avoid putting others at risk
Student-planned activities during the week will be limited to only vaccinated students, faculty and staff with a green badge and BSU ID.
The Bowie State campus community has made significant progress with increasing vaccination rates among students, faculty and staff and strong compliance with masking guidelines across the campus. Maintaining these same requirements for major events that bring others into the campus will help reduce the potential for spreading the virus into the campus community. We ask for the understanding and support of our Bulldog fans to help keep everyone safe.
Aspiring law students at Delaware State University will be receiving some support to offset testing costs and mentorship needs thanks to a recent large donation. Learn more about it in the Delaware Public Media story by Joe Irizarry below.
Credit: Milton Pratt/Delaware Publix Media
As part of its 90th anniversary, Wilmington’s Morris James law firm donated $10,000 to DSU to help defray costs of students taking and preparing for the LSAT, and establish a mentoring program.
Delaware State University’s Law Studies program receives a donation to help students pay for the Law School Admissions Test.
As part of its 90th anniversary, Wilmington’s Morris James law firm donated $10,000 to DSU to help defray costs of students taking and preparing for the LSAT, and establish a mentoring program.
The current cost for the LSAT plus prep is about $500 per student, so this donation would cover all expenses for 20 students.
Morris James managing partner Keith Donovan says they’re trying to remove financial barriers so students can focus time and effort on their studies.
According to Donovan the law firm’s diversity inclusion committee suggested the donation as a way to support diversity throughout the state.
“It’s natural to partner with Delaware State University to support these young professionals in their pursuit of law school, not as a feeder necessarily for us, but we recognize that the more students that we have that are home grown students coming through Delaware institutions will help the entire Delaware bar to become more diverse and that will be better for all of us,” said Donovan.
The law firm and the university also plan to establish a mentoring program which Kimeu Boynton , DSU’s Law Studies Program co-director, says is important for students.
“We will pair students with practicing attorneys at Morris James, and that’ll provide them, one with exposure to attorneys that are working in some of the fields that they want to enter into, but two, it’s a great networking component,” said Boynton.
DSU officials say this will be a game changer for students feeling the economic impact of being in college, as well as those affected financially by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wait for a tee time. Wait to hit again. Wait for the ball to drop. It’s a sport in which you even have to wait for the rain to stop.
Bethune-Cookman University, which lost its men’s tennis and golf teams this school year because of COVID-19, has a women’s golf team this fall but is going to have to wait a little longer for a complete one.
The Bethune-Cookman Wildcats women’s golf team can be found on a practice green in Port Orange — all three of them. The problem is, a team needs at least five golfers, and when the team plays in a tournament, the top four scores are counted.
“At the end of the day, all I wanted to is be able to do, is be able to play golf, “ says Kyleigh Leaf, who transferred to the team this summer. “Be able to have fun playing golf while getting an education.”
Coach Dan Venema is also waiting to see what options could present themselves for the spring semester.
“I’ve been trying to go in the transfer portal every day,” Venema explains. “Emailing girls, going on other recruiting websites and platforms.”
This fall, members of the team will play as individuals so they can get some tournaments and experience under their belts.
“Every score counts,” Emma Hastie, another transfer said. “We are just going to play as individuals. This is going to be good to get our feet wet with this new conference (Southwestern Athletic Conference).”
But like so many things in the world right now, this is not normal.
“It’s a littler nerve-wracking not knowing what to expect of the future,“ Leaf explained. “That’s just how it has been the past year or two, just the unknowing.”
What the three golfers and their coach do know is that the wait is over. They will play this fall.
Venema now has to wait out the fall to see who he can get to join his team in the spring.
“The right girls will come to this program,” Venema said. “When that happens, if I keep doing my job, as far as reaching out to as many student-athletes as I can, then they will come,”
Now everyone must wait to see how the team comes together in the spring.
According to Venema, the transfer portal includes more than 1,500 players right now, and the Wildcats also will consider athletes from other sports if they need to fill spots for a starting five in the spring.
Fort Valley State University is making renovations on Wildcat stadium.
A new track and turf will be coming to this particular venue.
“This is an unbelievable opportunity that we had,” says Athletic Director Anthony Holloman.
Soon FVSU’s football and track and field program will now have renovated playing surfaces.
“Not only put down a new play surface, but also our state of the art track. Wildcat Stadium is one of the nicest and largest stadiums in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SIAC),” says Holloman.
According to Holloman, this entire project which started in late July costs the university 1.5 million dollars.
The goal was to finish by the Wildcats home opener this weekend against Lane College
But they are going to slightly miss that deadline.
“The turf is down, but there are a few more things that need to be taken care of before we can open the stadium,” says Holloman.
Getting goal posts is on the list.
“Also putting up new play clocks. So, we had to move different wiring we are doing some different things with the fencing. To make it a better place to watch a football game,” says Holloman.
Because of the delays, Fort Valley’s home opener will be played at Peach County High School, this Saturday at 2 PM.
“Dr. Lionel Brown the superintendent was very good to us in allowing us to play a football game at their new facility,” says Holloman.
FVSU head football coach Maurice Flowers says because of the new turf, the early bird will get the worm.
“Turf brings ways for us to practice in the morning, and make sure all of our young men are up and ready to go to class. Studies have shown that once the athletes are up, they’re more than likely to go to class. That’s what it’s all about and that’s being a student-athlete,” says Flowers.
These renovations will be complete by October 9th.
Just in time for their home game against Central State University.
Athletes and others at North Carolina A&T State University are mourning the passing of former coach Gene Littles. The coach had a history at N.C. A&T and was even a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame. Get the full story from N.C. A&T below!
The North Carolina A&T Athletics family mourns the passing of former A&T head men’s basketball coach Eugene Scape “Gene” Littles (June 29, 1943 – Sept. 9, 2021). Littles was 78.
Littles was the head coach for the Aggies from 1977-79, compiling an overall record of 40-15 (.727) and two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships and the MEAC coach of the year honor in 1979.
Littles played his college ball at High Point University from 1965-69 and is regarded by many as the best player in school history. He was a three-time NAIA All-American and, in 1969, led High Point to a school-best 28-3 record and the quarterfinals of the NAIA Tournament. He is the school’s all-time leading scorer with 2,398 career points and his No. 14 jersey is in the rafters.
The Dallas Chaparrals of the American Basketball Association (ABA) and the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association (NBA) drafted Little after his college days. He chose to play in the ABA.
The Carolina Cougars later claimed his ABA rights. Eventually, he became the starting point guard for the league’s all-rookie team and finished his career with the Kentucky Colonels.
Littles got his start in the coaching realm as an assistant for the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers before returning to North Carolina to join the staff at Appalachian State, where he was before coming to A&T.
Littles returned to the NBA as a head coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers for the remaining 19 games of the 1985-86 season. Then, midway through the 1990-91 season, the Charlotte Hornets named him their head coach, and he remained in that position until the end of the season.
His last stop was for the Denver Nuggets in 1994-95, where he was an assistant and even stepped into the head coaching role on an interim basis for the final 19 games of the season.
Littles is a member of the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame and the High Point University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Elizabeth City State University’s Master of Elementary Education and Master of School Administration degree programs have received advanced accreditation from the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation, or CAEP.
According to Dr. Joy Smith, dean of the School of Education and Business and director of Graduate Education, advanced CAEP accreditation means that students in these graduate degree programs in the “teacher leader track,” are now covered by this accreditation. CAEP is an organization created to advance the excellence in educator preparation “through evidence-based accreditation that assures quality and supports continuous improvement to strengthen P-12 student learning.”
ECSU Provost Farrah J. Ward announced the news to the university’s board of trustees during their quarterly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 14. She explained that these programs had previously been accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, but the accreditation responsibility has now moved to CAEP, which had accredited ECSU’s undergraduate teacher education program and Masters of Elementary Education’s initial licensure track two years ago.
“We received both of these accreditations (for the master programs) without recommendation,” Provost Ward told the trustees. Without recommendation means that CAEP is 100 percent satisfied that ECSU’s program meets its standards.
According to CAEP’s standards for advanced accreditation, these programs are defined as “educator preparation programs at the post-baccalaureate and graduate levels leading to licensure, certification, or endorsement.”
Advanced level programs such as those at ECSU are designed to develop pre-K through grade 12 teachers who “have already completed an initial preparation program, currently licensed administrators, other certificated school professionals for employment in P-12” schools and school districts.
Accreditation means that ECSU shows “evidence that the provider’s graduates are competent and caring educators,” and show “solid evidence that the provider (ECSU) has the capacity to create a culture of evidence and use it to maintain and enhance the quality of the professional programs they offer.”
Dr. Smith says the CAEP standards represent a “sea change” in the way programs are assessed by the accreditation organization. Programs, she says, that are CAEP accredited have shown how they assess their students and have “developed metrics that document evidence of the education received by their students.”
“Achieving CAEP Advanced-Level Accreditation shows the evidence of the focused and rigorous learning undertaken by graduates of these programs,” said Dr. Smith.
In January 2019, ECSU began offering its first online Master of Education degree program. In addition to the Master of Elementary Education Teacher Leader Track that prepares students to seek National Board Certification, the university also offers a Master of Elementary Education Initial Certification Program for anyone with a bachelor’s degree that chooses to become an elementary school teacher.
ECSU also offers a Master of School Administration degree. Many of the region’s public-school principals have graduated from this program and have going on to lead K-12 institutions.
ECSU continues to receive high rankings from national organizations such as the recent Washington Monthly top 20 for bachelor’s degree colleges nationwide or the Military Times Best Bet for Vets, and most recently U.S. News and Worlds Report for Top Public Schools in the Regional South, 10th for Top Performers in Social Mobility in the Regional South, 22nd in the nation for Top HBCU, and 33rd for Best Regional College South.
Elizabeth City State University is a UNC System constituent university in Northeastern North Carolina. ECSU offers 28 bachelor’s degrees and four master’s degree and is the only four-year university offering a bachelor’s degree in aviation science and unmanned aerial systems, or drones.
Clark Atlanta University has a new leader that will keep alumni relations and engagement together as an alumna herself! Get the full story on Lorri L. Saddler, Ed. D. and her excitement to get started at CAU below.
Serving in the new role as Vice President of Alumni Relations and Engagement and most recently Associate Vice President and Dean of Undergraduate Admission, Dr. Lorri L. Saddler is an experienced higher education administrator with a diverse background that combines a wealth of institutional responsibilities in addition to strategic marketing and program development that spans both the university and corporate realm.
In her role as Chief Alumni Officer, Dr. Saddler endeavors to inspire CAU alumni to engage in the life of the university through positive relationships integrating meaningful and impactful work that preserves lifelong connections to the university. “As a two-time alum of Clark Atlanta University and a proud parent of a CAU 2020 graduate, I am honored to serve in the new role of Vice President of Alumni Relations and Engagement. Building upon the rich history and legacy of leadership, I take hold of the baton with the momentum to propel us forward,” stated Dr. Saddler.
Honoring the historical traditions and leveraging current momentum, Dr. Saddler, has university-wide responsibility for engaging alumni from Atlanta University, Clark College and Clark Atlanta University facilitating support via their time, talents, and commitment to the university.
Under her leadership the department will benefit from a strategic planning process crafted to align the interests and ambitions of the University with the interest of its alumni. The team is uniquely positioned to continue building traditions that further engage undergraduate and graduate alumni across the world, implementing strategies that enhance participation of the university’s external constituents leading to a stronger alumni pipeline.
“With her proven administrative experience, Dr. Saddler will play a crucial role in advancing alumni engagement, cultivation and participation. Alumni relations will now have a seat at the Executive Cabinet level. Her voice as it relates to this constituent group is another example of the momentum and laser focus on alumni participation and financial support as we anticipate the launch of an aggressive Capitol Campaign,” said President George T. French, Jr., fifth president of Clark Atlanta University.
Dr. Saddler’s vision for the Office of Alumni Relations and Engagement is for it to be the primary point of entry for alumni, provide essential alumni support and to be the leader in higher education for alumni partnerships.
Register and enjoy the conference free September 29-30
There isn’t enough black representation in advertising, and the result is often embarrassing gaffes that could have been offset by the right people in the room. To help that, a conference appropriately named “Where Are All The Black People” (WAATBP) is bringing HBCU students and others an immersive way to enter and thrive in the industry. Filled with panels, workshops, virtual recruiting and more, the 2021 WAATBP Conference can help you reach new heights in your professional career. On Wednesday September 29 and Thursday September 30, you can learn lessons about creating conscious content, becoming a black executive, finding financial success and more. Plus, you can hear from over 30 engaging executives at Capital One, Disney+, and other partnering agencies.
Credit: Virginia Sherwood/Peacock
The people behind this conference are the real gems. Emmy Award-winning host, writer, and performer Amber Ruffin will be hosting for the entire two days! She will keep things going beginning Wednesday September 29 at 11am EST, opening up about how to thrive as a creative, and more gems like lessons she’s learned along the way in her career. Among the speakers are HBCU Buzz founder & CEO Luke Lawal Jr.; Jerome Frederick, the Associate Creative Director at Capital One; Jayanta K. Jenkins, the EVP and Head of Content Marketing at Disney +; Danielle Lee, the President of Warner Music Artist & Fan Experiences; Michael Refuerzo, the Global Head of Production at Beats by Dre/Apple Inc. and more.
A glimpse into the conference’s schedule emphasizes why you’ll truly be missing out if you don’t come. Across both days, participants will be offered the unique opportunity of portfolio reviews, where students, recent grads, and more can get the feedback they need to put their best foot forward. Another gem is virtual recruiting, where conference partner agencies will share a glimpse into their companies and their current openings!
The first discussion on day 1 will give viewers insight in getting paid what you’re worth and finding financial success. Other discussions include becoming a black executive, creating conscious content, and healing racial trauma in the workplace. HBCU students will especially enjoy Day 2, which will feature a discussion with Bowie State University graduate and HBCU Buzz’s own Luke Lawal Jr., plus Hampton University graduate and Danny Robinson, who is the Chief Creative Officer at The Martin Agency. Participants will learn about the professional journeys of the two executives, and then will be tasked with crafting a short pitch presentation for a viral homecoming at a hypothetical HBCU. In addition to learning about Danny and Luke’s journey, participants will be tasked with developing a campaign to draw attendees, alumni, and supporters for a virtual homecoming at a hypothetical HBCU. Other discussions for the day will address elevating black women in leadership, plus how to create a space for innovative leadership from the many heads in the marketing and advertising industry.
An exciting new addition to the 2021 conference is the HBCU Workshop and Virtual After Party. Launched especially for HBCU students, the HBCU workshop is a space where participants will be able to work on a creative campaign and win prizes. The virtual after party will be filled with reflection and the best R&B music you can find.Get more information about the 2021 WAATBP Conference and make sure you register when you click here.
The funds from an anonymous donation at Virginia State University will be used to match the donations through the university’ match gift challenge. Get the full story from the VSU release below.
Eric Kolenich/Tims-Dispatch
Virginia State University has announced that it will use an undisclosed financial gift from an anonymous donor to multiply the University’s fundraising over the next six weeks. In an unprecedented move, VSU announced that all alumni, faculty, and staff gifts to the university will be doubled or tripled through a matching gift from an anonymous donor beginning Friday, September 17- October 28.
Any gift from a first-time alumni donor will be matched twice using the funds from the anonymous donor. For example, if a first-time donor gives $1,000, the University will match that amount twice for a total give of $3,000 gift to the institution. All other gifts from alumni, faculty, or staff will be matched dollar for dollar, doubling the gift amount designated to the fund of their choice during that period.
“We believe in the power of giving back and this innovative challenge allows our alums, faculty and staff to have a larger impact on the institution through their matching gift,” says Tonya Hall, Vice President of External Relations. “This is also a way to multiply the gift amount from the anonymous donor to have a greater impact on our VSU students.”
Alumni can also double their gifts by participating in the Decade Giving Challenge. The decade that gives the largest amount by Thursday, October 21, will be declared the winner, and their gift amount will be matched. Endowed gifts will also be matched as part of the Match Gift Challenge during the six-week challenge. For example, a donor can turn a $5,000 contribution to their endowment into $10,000.
“Now is the perfect time to give whatever you can and invest in greater,” says VSU President, Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. “And the biggest benefit to doing so now is that any amount given will multiply for the benefit our students and to ensure that greater happens here at Virginia State University. So, this is the right time and we are calling on all of our faculty, staff, and alumni to give back by investing in our students the same way that someone once invested in you.”
VSU alumni, faculty and staff can get more information and participate in the Matching Gift Challenge by Clicking Here.
Alabama State University is honoring the right side of history, renaming a building after a civil rights icon after it was stripped of the name of a KKK member. Get the full story from Josh Moon at the Alabama Political Reporter below.
The historically Black university removed former Gov. Bibb Graves’ name last year due to his ties to the KKK
Out with a racist, in with a hero. The Alabama State University board of trustees voted on Friday to rename one of its residence halls in honor of Civil Rights icon Jo Ann Robinson, a catalyst in the Montgomery Bus Boycott and a former ASU professor. The decision comes a year after the trustees stripped the name of Bibb Graves, a former Alabama governor and Ku Klux Klan ally, from the building.
“I am extremely gratified that the Board of Trustees saw fit to rename this historic facility in honor of one of the University’s most iconic figures,” said ASU president Quinton Ross, who recommended the name change. “Jo Ann Robinson was one of the catalysts behind the Montgomery Bus Boycott and is representative of the many faculty and staff members who were instrumental in bringing about one of the most impactful periods in the history of civil rights in the United States. We are proud to be able to celebrate her contributions in this manner.”
Robinson was one of the most important and active — if somewhat less famous — civil rights activists. Her work during the Bus Boycott, in which she wrote and printed fliers, organized the carpool and led the Women’s Political Council, was instrumental in the protest’s success.
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. once said that Robinson, more than anyone else, was “active on every level of the protest.”
Robinson was also a women’s rights activist, pushing for women to become more involved in the civil rights protests of the 1950s and 60s, and later, as a teacher in Los Angeles, working with a number of women’s rights groups.
After Florida A&M University was awarded $15.4 million in part from a 2016 grant by the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration, the award has been doubled. The resulting funds include FAMU’s largest donation ever! Get the full story from Byron Dobson at the Tallahassee Democrat below.
“This is FAMU’s largest grant,” President Larry Robinson said.
The National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration — the federal government’s environmental sciences agency — is bolstering its investment in Florida A&M University, giving the historically Black public university a five-year, $30 million grant to support science studies.
In 2016, NOAA first awarded a $15.4 million grant to FAMU and five other universities included in the Center for Coastal and Marine Ecosystems, which is based at FAMU.
FAMU is the lead institution and President Larry Robinson is the center’s director and principal investigator of the project. NOAA is a lead agency on climate change, among other initiatives.
“This is FAMU’s largest grant. This NOAA grant is representative of the research that is carried out at FAMU,” Vice President for Research Charles Weatherford said.
The center’s goal is to introduce students from under-represented minority populations to studies in coastal and marine ecosystems education, science and policy.
The new $30 million grant is an extension of the original agreement. Robinson said the extension allows FAMU and the other universities to mentor and train minority students in studying climate change and other issues critical to coastal communities.
He said in a release Wednesday that “having underrepresented minorities who are experts not only enhances diversity but also ensures that we stay attuned to the needs of our most vulnerable populations as solutions are developed.”
Robinson, a nuclear chemist by training and distinguished professor and researcher in the School of the Environment at FAMU, served as director of the NOAA Environmental Cooperative Science Center also at FAMU 2001-10. His research interests include environmental chemistry, environmental radiochemistry, and environmental policy and management.
The center focuses on three primary areas: Place-based conservation, coastal resilience and coastal intelligence. Students get exposed to courses in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, genomics and environmental justice. Other university partners are: Bethune-Cookman University, California State University Monterey Bay, Jackson State University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
