By Daniela Dehaghani
Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders joined a roundtable discussion at Congressman French Hill’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities Summit at Philander Smith College.
The summit brought together local leaders, educators, and students to focus on expanding opportunities for HBCUs, and enhancing their role in Arkansas’ higher education landscape.
This roundtable discussion is something Congressman French Hill has done a couple of times before, but this is the first time Governor Sarah Sanders has joined in on the conversation.
It was centered around challenges faced by HBCUs, and what is being done to overcome them.
Governor Sanders is hopeful her proposed legislation “ACCESS” will be part of the solution.
“I think you have to be relentless in coming in and saying look at what we have, look at what we’re doing, help us take it to the next level,” says Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.
The summit comes one day after lawmakers filed Governor Sanders’ higher education bill – ACCESS.
“We want more and more students staying in Arkansas. We want more and more students taking advantage of the institutions in Arkansas. We want more and more economic development happening in Arkansas. That is exactly what this does,” Governor Sanders.
Congressman French Hill, who represents Arkansas’ 2nd congressional district, says he has been a long-time advocate for higher education, including championing initiatives that directly support HBCUs, making sure they have the resources needed to prepare students for a competitive workforce.
“Philander Smith College, Arkansas Baptist College, Shorter College are huge drivers of education success in Central Arkansas. Helping us grow the economy faster with good education so those three schools are important to Little Rock and North Little Rock. And UAPB has been important for the whole region, particularly in the agriculture area,” says Congressman French Hill.
Hill says this summit gives state leaders the opportunity to engage directly with the schools, brainstorming new ways to enhance their impact in the region, and provide opportunities for students.
“My goal as being the co-chair of the HBCU caucus is to get more private philanthropy on these campuses to help the campuses to be competitive in the STEM and technology areas. Personally, I’ve supported employment for HBCU students, internships for HBCU students. I think that’s an important way that the private sector can work with these campuses,” says Hill.
Congressman Hill also said today that he sees the greatest areas for growth in STEM, AI, and technology.
At the summit today, he was actively trying to recruit HBCU students for his internship program, giving them opportunities in those areas.