HBCU Program Activities (2007-2012)

Improving Retention and Enhancing Student Achievement through Quality Advising and Supplemental Course Instruction

The Center for Academic Excellence will use funds to: (1) centralize needed services in order to create a community of support for students; (2) ensure quality academic advising and referrals to appropriate on- and off-campus services (personal counseling, health and wellness, financial aid, readmission, etc.); and (3) collaborate with the Academy for Teaching and Learning, deans, department chairs and faculty to improve instruction in high failure courses.

Enhancing the Campus Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure

Unified Communications--This activity will use funds to move the campus network infrastructure to a converged network carrying video, voice and data. Funds will also be used to deploy Voice-over-IP (VoIP) technology. In order to receive maximum return on investment, our ultimate goal is to move towards unified communications, which is the assimilation of instant messaging, email, telephony, videoconferencing, fax services, etc., into a single application.

Enhancement of an Educational Endowment Trust Fund

Grant funds will be used to assist the University with the building of the endowment funds for student scholarships and two endowed chairs in the Department of Political Science and the Academy of Teaching and Learning. The Development and University Relations office will also use funds to strengthen its infrastructure through intensive training in order to improve and enhance the University’s capabilities for obtaining optimum external support.

Strategic Development of the Honors Program

The Honors Program will use funds to meet Program goals of ensuring that our best students receive a stimulating, high quality education throughout their college years, provide models for student development that can be implemented elsewhere on campus, enhance the Program’s already high retention and graduation rates, leverage campus and community resources in new ways that benefit undergraduate students, better prepare students for research careers, and increase the number of A&T students who go to graduate school.

Enhancing and Strengthening Academic Programs in Environmental Ethics, Environmental Justice, and GIS for Environmental Management

This activity will use funds to enhance and strengthen academic programs in Environmental Ethics and Philosophy, Environmental Justice, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Environmental Management and 40 Hour Hazmat Training. Funds will also be used for faculty development and for iWMI faculty to attend major environmental conferences to gain additional knowledge for the benefit of our students.

Enhancement of Teacher Education Candidates' Performance

The School of Education will use funds to design courses for freshmen that provide instruction in the analytical skills that are assessed on Praxis I, especially in the areas of mathematics, reading and writing. Developmental instruction will be provided in reading, writing and mathematics to strengthen content and provide an understanding of the structure of those basic skills. Moreover, courses will be offered that align content to analytical reasoning, critical thinking and problem solving skills. Sessions will be provided for small groups and individuals to work with faculty on projects and experiences that provide opportunities to prepare for standardized tests.

Enhancing Junior and Senior Nursing Majors' Academic Success

The School of Nursing will use funds to ensure the success of first time writers for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) and increase the number of graduates through improved retention during the junior and senior academic years. This will be accomplished through “academic skill enhancement” and “retention during the junior year”.

Strengthening Faculty Development to Improve Student Learning Outcomes and Enhancement of Library Services

This activity will use funds to support: (1) on-campus workshops and institutes, (2) faculty development travel to conferences, workshops and short courses, (3) development of faculty learning communities, especially those aimed at improving student learning outcomes in freshman-level University Studies courses and high-failure-rate courses throughout the university, (4) allow faculty to work towards doctoral degrees, and (5) enhancement of library services through book and electronic resource renewal.

Strengthening the Global Learning Environment of Campus and Curriculum

International Programs will use funds to assist in strengthening and supporting academic programs abroad and at NCA&T; evaluating, strengthening and growing existing overseas partnerships; and creating new partners for student and faculty exchange. HBCUs are underrepresented in providing an international education to its graduates. Students who study abroad return more focused, more mature, with skill sets that allow them to adjust to other cultures and environments.

Project Administration

It is the responsibility of Title III HBCU Administration to ensure orderly and systematic procedures for planning, implementing and evaluating activities in a cost effective mode that complies with Department of Education, State and University regulations. Programs are focused on enhancing academic, administrative services, physical plant, endowment, and student service programs at the University.

Last Updated: April 2, 2008