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Notes from the Director

"...I am committed to leveraging federal programs to improve institutional performance..."

On February 14, 2022, I became the Director of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Division. In this role, I provide guidance and support for 10 programs: 2 Strengthening HBCUs programs, Strengthening Historically Black Graduate Institutions (HBGI) Program, Master's Degree Programs at HBCUs, 2 Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) programs, Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP), Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success Program (CEVSS), Center of Educational Excellence for Black Teachers (CEEBT) Program at HBCUs, and the Augustus F. Hawkins (Hawkins) Centers of Excellence Program.   With over 25 years of leadership experience in the field of education, I am committed to leveraging federal programs to improve institutional performance and student outcomes by influencing and advancing partnerships with institutions of higher education, public and private agencies, and organizations to meet the goals and objectives of the U.S. Department of Education.   The HBCU division is responsible for awarding grants to eligible institutions to improve academic, administrative, and fiscal capabilities. It is intended to expand college access nationally, strengthen institutional capacity, and advance innovation in postsecondary education. In 2022, we awarded over $615 million in grants; the 2023 appropriation is over $673 million.   In March 2023, I had the pleasure of visiting Alabama State University and Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery, AL. I met with the activity directors at both institutions and learned about the initiatives and programs implemented with Title III funds. I also met with community stakeholders to hear about how they partner with the institutions to engage youth and adults. The community outreach programs are encouraging elementary and secondary students, as well as adults, to develop the academic skills and the interest to pursue postsecondary education. It was wonderful to learn that the ASPIRE program at Alabama State continued to meet with elementary and secondary students during the pandemic. The program continues to grow, providing tools, tips, and tutoring for students in grades 5 - 12. At Trenholm, it was great to hear they partnered with the local hospitals and hired Trenholm graduates. The absolute BEST part of my site visits was the student roundtables. I conversed with students from different academic programs to discuss the institution's programs, staff, and student support services. After these two great site visits, I cannot wait to visit your campus!  I am excited about the possibilities and the impact the HBCU division programs can have with the students and communities that we serve. I look forward to working with you all and championing for our students. They DESERVE our best! Dr. Vicki Robinson

Alabama State University students with Dr. Robinson

Trenholm Community College students with Dr. Robinson

HBCU Title III Project Director's Meeting

Title III Project Directors

Inaugural Meeting at ED a Success!

The HBCU Division hosted its inaugural Title III HBCU Project Directors Meeting at the U.S. Department of Education on March 20-21, 2023. Over 150 attendees (in-person and online), consisting of college and university presidents, vice presidents, project directors, faculty and staff connected to learn tips and best practices to elevate and transform their institutions and celebrate the vital role they play in shaping the future of their students and institutions. The purpose of the meeting was to provide opportunities for peer-to-peer learning and idea-sharing among the HBCU community. Grantees presented on, discussed, and identified approaches that have had the greatest impact on transforming their institutions, strengthening their fiscal stability, institutional management, student services and outcomes, and academic quality. Guest speakers included representatives from Google, Prince George’s County Public Schools, the United Negro College Fund, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. State Department who shared information on available partnerships and initiatives for HBCUs. The tentative date for the 2024 Title III HBCU Project Directors Meeting is March 5-6, 2024. 

HBCU Presidents

Group photo of attendees and ED staff

Attendees in their college paraphernaila

5 Conditions of Success for Colleges and Universities

HBCU Division Masterclass Series

"This was very helpful!": Mental Health and Wellness Masterclass Provides Opportunity to Expand Student/Faculty Support

The HBCU Division will be hosting “Masterclasses” which are 60-75 minute, online-learning sessions focused on the work implemented by the 10 programs under the HBCU Division. Grantees will share their learnings and success stories and gain awareness of initiatives within the higher education landscape that align with the mission of the Department to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.  The HBCU Division hosted its first Masterclass on Mental Health and Wellness on April 26, 2023. Participants heard from 3 speakers: Ms. Cecelia Knox from Prince George’s Community College, Ms. Michelle Provost from Claflin University, and Ms. Amber Richardson from Tuskegee University. The 88 participants also engaged in dialogue and shared their institutions activities addressing student, faculty, and staff mental health and wellness on their campuses. Here some of what was shared: Central State University students are doing “Healing Through Expression” performances.  They also have a multidisciplinary team to support students. Claflin University is implementing Mental Health First Aid Fayetteville State University shared that grant funds positioned them to have a master instructor do a “Train the Trainers” session on campus.  Cheyney University included Restorative Practices in their latest Breaking Barriers Conference.   Western Kentucky University has partnered with the Community Engagement & Partnership Coordinator in their local Veterans Affairs office to support veteran-students mental health. The Masterclass on Mental Health received very positive feedback! The next Masterclass will focus on Community Colleges and is scheduled for Tuesday June 6, 2023 at 2 pm ET. If you would like to present at this upcoming Masterclass please contact Ms. Megan Singleton at megan.singleton@ed.gov by May 26, 2023.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Active Minds: Resources and Information on Mental Health 

Active Minds is sharing the latest in mental health. They discuss problems with telehealth, new research on mental health in youth of color, and partnering with businesses to bring mental health tools to college campuses. Read more at News and media - Active Minds

Active Minds is expanding their peer-to-peer model of mental health services to K-12 schools across the country. They are kicking it off by setting a goal of adding 1,000 K-12 schools to the Active Minds community in the first 1,000 days. Read more at 1,000 in 1,000 - Active Minds

Grantee Highlights

New Lab Equipment Leads to Notable Gains for Trinity College

Trinity College nursing students in newly outfitted nursing laboratory

With grant funds from ED under the Predominately Black Institutions (PBI) program, Trinity College outfitted its new STEM and Nursing laboratories with state-of-the-art instrumentation and technologies. As a result of the new equipment and support for faculty development, Trinity’s enrollment of Black American students increased in both Nursing and sciences, with improved persistence and completion rates in those disciplines. Trinity’s science students now conduct sophisticated undergraduate research leading to invitations for summer research internships at major universities and to pursue pathways to graduate school. The improved science labs also helped Trinity to secure additional grants from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Sloan Foundation. In addition, Trinity Nursing graduates achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX in 2022, increasing private donor support for Nursing scholarships.

Building the Next Generation of Environmental Justice Leaders in STEM

The U.S. Department of Education’s Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the U.S. Forest Service leveraged federal resources and created a partnership to support minority STEM students. This partnership focuses on developing the next generation of young STEM environmental-justice leaders through engagement and collaboration. The White House Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (Educate, Motivate, Innovate Committee) nominated five outstanding MSEIP student researchers to present their research to an audience of over 400 environmental justice stakeholders at the 2023 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program in Washington, DC. Students were selected based on their outstanding abstracts and presentations presented at the six-day 2023 MSEIP Student Research Conference.

ICC Designated as 2023-2024 Military Friendly School

Independence Community College announced the college earned a Military Friendly® School designation for the 2023-2024 Academic Year. The college received a silver designation.  The list of Military Friendly® Schools and Military Friendly® Schools ratings are assessed by evaluating both public data about the institution and proprietary data gathered through the Military Friendly School Survey. Each year, schools taking the survey are held to a higher standard than in previous years via improved methodology, criteria, and weightings developed by an independent research firm and an Advisory Council. The Centers of Excellence for Veteran Student Success (CEVSS) mission is to support student veterans in achieving their academic, career, and personal goals. CEVSS is made possible by a U.S. Department of Education Fund for the Improvement of Secondary Education (FIPSE) grant.

In the News

Fayetteville State University (FSU) mathematics education professor Peter Eley, Ph.D., joins NASA’s second Academic Interchange cohort to help broaden student participation in its internships. Eley, one of two faculty members nationwide selected to join the cohort, will serve from January 2023 to June 2025. His assignment is with the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) housed at Marshall Space Flight Center, Huntsville, AL in the Southeast Region OSTEM office to support data science, diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives along with grant office support. “This experience will enable me to learn the structures of NASA and see how we can leverage the expertise here at FSU to earn more contracts and grants to support our students through internships and increased support for faculty research,” Eley said. “I am excited about the opportunity and what this means for FSU as a whole.”

• NASA Launches Award to Help Give MSIs Research Opportunities. Read More

• Jackson State Joins Google’s HBCU Career Readiness Program. Read More

• Dr. Jacqueline Smith Awarded Bowie State’s First Ever NSF Career Grant. Read More

Sharing Information: Black College Expo

The Black College Expo, sponsored by the National College Resources Foundation, is a great opportunity for grantees to showcase all the wonderful things their institutions have to offer. Students and families in attendance receive invaluable information and support, including on-site college applications, on-the-spot scholarships, and other financial giveaways. Check it out in a city near you!

For more information contact: Veronica Brias Kummerfeldt, National College Resources Foundation, Director of Operations/STEAM/Events/Design, NCRFoundation.org, 714-299-5764, Veronica@ncrfoundation.org

ED Funding Opportunities

Strengthening Institutions Program

The program helps eligible IHEs to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.

Application Closing Date: May 22, 2023

Program Contact: Nalini Lamba-Nieves, Nalini.Lamba-Nieves@ed.gov , 202-453-7953

Program Website: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduestitle3a/index.html

Minority Science and Engineering Improvement Program (MSEIP)

This program assists predominantly minority institutions in effecting long-range improvement in science and engineering education programs and increasing the flow of underrepresented ethnic minorities, particularly minority women, into science and engineering careers.

Application Closing Date: May 30, 2023 

Program Contact: Dr. Bernadette Hence, Bernadette.Hence@ed.gov, 202-453-7913

Program Webpage: https://www2.ed.gov/programs/iduesmsi/index.html

Rural Postsecondary & Economic Development (RPED) Program

For more ED Funding opportunities visit: Forecast of Funding Opportunities under the Department of Education Discretionary Grant Programs

Other Opportunities

Registration Open for the Summer Institute on Education, Equity and Justice (SIEEJ)

Get to Know Your Program Specialists

The HBCU division staff is here to support you with the implementation of your projects.  Please contact your designated program specialist if you have any questions or concerns.  Remember, “When in doubt, reach out.”

Darryl Davis

I have been with HBCU division for 19 years and with ED even longer. I have 30-plus years of expertise leading policy, technology, and education programs. I am a skilled team-builder, creative problem solver, motivator, and a proactive thinking leader.

Shakir Davy

I have been at ED for 11 years and with HBCUs for 3 years. My hometown is Kingston, Jamaica. I received a soccer scholarship to play for Howard University. My hobbies include playing and watching soccer 24/7.

Kelly Harris

I have been at ED for over 30 years and with HBCUs for 6 years. I have an undergraduate degree from the University of the District of Columbia and a Master of Education from the University of Virginia. 

Bernadette Hence

I have been at ED and with HBCUs for 18 years. I previously served as Senior Policy Advisor for the White House Initiative on American Indian and Alaska Native Education and Policy Advisor for the White Initiative on HBCUs. I have a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering and Doctorate in Education Administration both from the University of Houston. I am passionate about advancing STEM education for the nation.

Ashley Hillary

I have been at ED for 13 years and with HBCUs for 3 years. I have a Master’s degree from Morgan State University and Bachelor’s from Hampton University. I enjoy spending time with family, giving back to my community, and exploring hidden gems in the DMV area.

Bernadette Miles

I have been at ED for 25 years and with HBCUs for 17 years. I have a Master of Business Administration from Florida Institute of Technology and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from University of Maryland Global Campus. I love traveling, watching forensic science programs, and reading and writing short stories.

Wendy Lawrence

I have been at ED for 21 years and with HBCUs for 11 years. I have a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Virginia Union University and a Master of Education in Higher Education for Student Personnel Administration from Virginia State University. Prior to HBCUs, I worked in TRIO. 

Tenecia Mosely

I have been at ED for 4 years and with HBCUs for 4 years. I have a background in counseling education. I love self-care and spending time with family and friends.

Megan Singleton

I have been at ED for 7 years with TRIO programs. I am on a detail with HBCUs until July 4, 2023. I worked as a scientist and teacher before coming to ED. I love cooking and listening to the podcast Snap Judgement.

We Need to Hear From You!

The purpose of the HBCU Division Newsletter is to showcase the programs in the division.  Grantees are encouraged to submit articles, videos, clips, etc. to be included in the newsletter to highlight the great things that are happening on their campuses. This is also an opportunity for the division to share announcements, internal and external funding opportunities, and other exciting ED news and updates.

We need to hear from you! Send your stories to Megan.Singleton@ed.gov or Ashley.Hillary@ed.gov to possibly be featured in the next HBCU Division newsletter.