Campus News - Page 4

AFRO honors Maryland HBCUs at Juneteenth Breakfast

The AFRO hosted its third annual Juneteenth Breakfast June 18, honoring Maryland’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and celebrating their commitment to educational excellence.Ā  Held at the Center Club in Baltimore, the event brought together student, alumni, faculty and leaders from Morgan State University, Bowie State University, Coppin State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and the University of Baltimore, a federally designated predominantly Black institution (PBI). ā€œRooted in Freedom, Rising Through Educationā€ served as the theme for this year’s breakfast, a reminder that HBCUs continue to be the springboards for growth and leadership for the Black community.

HBCU Graduate Heading to the Chinese Basketball Association

Written by Lexx Thornton Diamond Johnson, a standout guard from Norfolk State and one of the most decorated players inHBCU women’s basketball, has signed a contract with Team Hefei in the Women’s ChineseBasketball Association (WCBA), according to a source. Johnson’s journey to professional basketball includes a significant college career at Norfolk StateUniversity, where she played under the guidance of former head coach Larry Vickers. After short stints at Rutgers and NC State, she transferred to NSU, where she played from 2023 to 2025. Diamond had an outstanding final season with the Spartans, averaging 18.7 points, 5.7 rebounds,4.3 assists, and 3.3

Seeing the Future Through the Eyes Of Six ā€˜AT&T Rising Future Makers’

Since 2021, AT&T’s Rising Future Makers program has identified HBCU students who are well on their way to changing the world and supported the strides they’re already making through access and resources. One aspect of the program turns some of the most coveted events in sports, business, and entertainment into immersive experiences through which these young powerhouses can network, learn, and gain valuable experience. The AT&T Rising Future Makers itinerary included a stop through Blavity Fest, which took place in Atlanta on May 31 and June 1, 2025. This chapter in the journey seemed a bit serendipitous, as each of

Bowie State Receives Grant from Maryland’s Higher Education Commission

Courtesy of Bowie State University Bowie State University’sĀ Department of NursingĀ has been awarded a 4–year, $2.2 million grant from the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) to increase the number of doctoral faculty members with the goal of having 20 students in the Ph.D. program by 2029. It marks the largest grant ever awarded to the department.Ā  Beginning in 2029 and in subsequent years, five new Ph.D. nurse faculty will graduate from the program, which will expand the number of nurse educators in the state who contribute to the ongoing development of the nursing workforce.Ā  According to theĀ American Association of Colleges of

North Carolina A&T is at the Epicenter of $4.7 Billion Aerospace Investment

By Wali Pitt JetZero has announced a $4.7 billion investment to build a next-generation aviation production facility at Piedmont Triad International Airport (PTI) in Greensboro, North Carolina. The move will create more than 14,500 new jobs, making it the largest job announcement in the state’s history. At the center of this groundbreaking development is North Carolina A&T, the nation’s largest HBCU. JetZero Chooses Greensboro-and an HBCU is Leading the Way JetZero’s facility will produce the Z4, a revolutionary commercial aircraft with an all-wing design. The plane seats 250 passengers and offers up to 50% improved fuel efficiency compared to current

Brewer Foundation Gifts $500,000 to Fisk University in Support of New Allied Sciences Building

Courtesy of Fisk University Fisk University is proud to announce a generous $500,000 investment from the Brewer Foundation, an organization established by alumni to support science programs at their alma mater. This gift represents a commitment to furthering the university’s mission of creating opportunities for students to excel and innovate in their educational pursuits. ā€œWe are elated by the generosity and support of the Brewer Foundation,ā€ said Fisk University President Dr. Agenia W. Clark. ā€œFisk is in the midst of a campaign to raise funds for the construction of the Allied Sciences Building to open in the next 12 to

North Carolina A&T Has New AI Degree, the First in the State

Written By Lexx Thornton The University of North Carolina System Board of Governors has approved a bachelor’s degree in artificial intelligence (AI) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, the only degree of its kind in this state and one of only a handful nationally. While some other North Carolina universities offer an artificial intelligence concentration within a computer science degree, North Carolina A&T will be the only institution with a stand-alone bachelor’s degree. And it’s not stopping there: discussions are already underway to develop graduate degrees in the same field. In recent years, AI has emerged as a

Jackson State University’s (JSU) Office of Community Engagement Partners with the Pecan Tree Park Neighborhood Association

Written By Lexx Thornton Jackson State University’s (JSU)Office of Community Engagement partnered with the PecanTree Park Neighborhood Association to provide 150 Jackson residents with free Ring doorbells.The project was made possible through a $50,000 Home Depot Retool Your School Community Project Grant, which provided residents with increased surveillance, accessibility, and more. “We’re extremely grateful to have secured the resources from Home Depot to cater to the needs of our community. We hope that by having access to the Ring cameras, our neighborhoods surrounding JSU will feel more joy about keeping their properties pristine,” said Heather Denne’,Ph.D., director of Community Engagement

Three Mississippi-based HBCUs look to expand AI Education

A $9.1 million higher educationĀ grant awarded to the stateĀ of Mississippi will help three HBCUs to increase entrepreneurship, job training, and artificial intelligence (AI) education. Jackson State University, Tougaloo College, and Alcorn State University will benefit from the multi-million-dollar grant. Governor Tate Reeves announced the funds through the Mississippi AI Talent Accelerator Program (MAI-TAP) on June 12, 2025, with the goal of bolstering the state’s workforce and economic future, according to WJTV 12 News. To increase its influence, each institution will look for private financing and resources in addition to public assistance. ā€œThis is another bold step forward for Mississippi,ā€ Reeves

Marva Johnson officially confirmed as FAMU president despite vocal opposition

Florida A&M University entered a new era Wednesday as the Florida Board of Governors unanimously confirmed Marva Johnson, J.D., as theĀ institution’s 13th president,Ā marking a pivotal moment for the state’s only public historically Black university. Johnson, a telecommunications executive and veteran education policy leader, was selected by the FAMU Board of Trustees last month after a national search narrowed the field to four finalists. Her appointment follows the tenure of Larry Robinson, who led the university from 2017 to 2024. ā€œIt is a profound honor to be selected as the 13th president of Florida A&M University—a historic institution with a rich