by: Annie Glasco
Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) recently joined a bipartisan group of lawmakers in introducing legislation aimed at improving aging infrastructure at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), including Arkansas’ four HBCUs.
Arkansas is home to four HBCUs:
- University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
- Philander Smith College
- Arkansas Baptist College
- Shorter College
The proposed Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education (IGNITE) for HBCU Excellence Act will establish a competitive federal grant program within the U.S. Department of Education to help HBCUs rebuild, modernize and improve campus facilities, a release said.
Boozman said Arkansas’ HBCUs play an important role in providing educational opportunities to thousands of students.
“Arkansas is the proud home to four HBCUs that provide quality, unique educational opportunities to thousands of students,” Boozman said. “The IGNITE for HBCU Excellence Act will ensure these institutions’ infrastructure is able to continue preparing students for successful careers in the years to come.”
The legislation was introduced alongside Tim Scott and Chris Coons, co-chairs of the Bipartisan HBCU Caucus.
Scott said the measure would help modernize campuses while expanding research and workforce training opportunities.
Coons added that the bill would provide HBCUs with the technology, facilities and resources needed to educate future generations of students, particularly those from low-income and first-generation college backgrounds.
If approved, the legislation would:
- Create a competitive federal grant program for long-term infrastructure improvements at HBCUs.
- Prioritize schools with the greatest financial need, aging or unsafe facilities, limited fundraising capacity and high enrollment of low-income students.
- Allow funding for construction, modernization, deferred maintenance, campus safety improvements and the creation of AI Workforce Development Hubs.
- Provide technical assistance to help schools apply for and manage federal grants.
- Require federal reporting and oversight to ensure accountability.
- Offer capital financing relief for institutions that were excluded from previous federal assistance programs.
In addition to Boozman, Scott and Coons, the legislation is cosponsored by Senators Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). Companion legislation was introduced in the House by U.S. Representatives French Hill (R-AR) and Alma Adams (D-NC), the release said.
The proposal has received support from the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the United Negro College Fund, the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities and the Office of Management and Budget.
