This year’s group of HBCU Scholars is the largest since the inception of the recognition program in 2014, highlighting the growing significance and impact of these institutions.
This year’s group of HBCU Scholars is the largest since the inception of the recognition program in 2014, highlighting the growing significance and impact of these institutions.
United States Education Department has unveiled the ninth roster of Historically Black Colleges and Universities scholars, a program headed by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity.
In a press release, a total of 102 outstanding undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from 29 different states and countries have been recognized for their exceptional achievements in academics, leadership, civic engagement, and more.
This year’s group of HBCU Scholars is the largest since the inception of the recognition program in 2014, highlighting the growing significance and impact of these institutions. With HBCU participation now exceeding 70 percent, these students represent a record number of institutions across the nation.
U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona expressed his congratulations and admiration for the talented scholars.
“Our 2023 HBCU Scholars are talented students who embody the culture of excellence and inclusion championed by our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” he said.
“I’m thrilled to see the HBCU Scholars program continue to expand its reach and provide such exciting professional development, networking, and educational opportunities to some of our nation’s brightest and most promising young leaders,” he added.
Chosen from a competitive pool of over 300 applicants, these HBCU scholars will now serve as ambassadors for the White House Initiative on HBCUs, the U.S. Department of Education, and their respective HBCUs.
Throughout the academic year, they will work together to elevate their communities, foster student success, strengthen democracy, and promote economic growth.
A significant component of the HBCU Scholar Program involves a partnership with NASA to promote innovation and opportunity.
Through the Minority University Research and Education Project Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition, also known as “Mini MITTIC,” the scholars will collaborate on developing ideas to commercialize technology derived from NASA’s intellectual property. This has the potential to improve their campuses and surrounding communities.
In September, HBCU scholars will have the chance to present their IP ideas in person at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, during the National HBCU Week Conference.
“NASA’s MUREP is thrilled, once again, to engage with the White House Initiative on HBCUs to enhance the learning experience for this year’s cohort of White House Scholars,” said MUREP Manager Torry Johnson.
HBCU Scholars will also be invited to attend the 2023 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, scheduled to take place on Sept. 24-28, at the Hyatt Regency in Crystal City, Virginia.
Themed “Raising the Bar: Forging Excellence Through Innovation & Leadership,” the conference will feature sessions that encourage innovation, leadership, and personal and professional development.
This will allow the scholars to connect with each other, initiative staff, and partners, further showcasing their individual and collective talent.
Beyond the conference, HBCU scholars will participate in various programs, events, and monthly master classes designed to enhance their professional development.
The initiative’s work is focused on programs, ongoing activities solely or collaboratively delivered by the Initiative; projects, finite-duration actions jointly delivered with others to accelerate performance; and policies, influential actors’ expressions of public objectives and priorities.
