USF’s success securing defense contracts prompts new partnership to broaden nation’s research expertise
SEPTEMBER 19, 2023 | RESEARCH AND INNOVATION, UNIVERSITY NEWS | By Tina Meketa, University Communications and Marketing
USF has become the first university in Florida and one of just a handful of universities in the nation to join a new network that connects research institutions with historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs).
The new agreement, facilitated by the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation (TCRDF), allows the USF Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) to partner with HBCUs in their efforts to secure research funding and contracts with the federal government, especially the U.S. Department of Defense.
Since its formation in 2018, the IAE has secured more than $95 million in contract opportunities from the federal government to conduct a range of research, such as the creation of new technologies and processes for U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Air Force and NASA.
“We are incredibly excited to begin this partnership as it brings intellectual capital from across the United States together in the same room to solve the problems of tomorrow,” said Darren Schumacher, president and CEO of the IAE.
More than 30 HBCUs are members of the TCRDF network, which includes Florida A&M University. It was established to help HBCUs navigate the often-complex research and contracting processes and broaden the nation’s expertise in STEM fields. The TCRDF also has an active partnership with the National Sponsored Programs Administrators Alliance, which includes more than 100 HBCU member institutions.
“TCRDF is fortunate to enter into this agreement with USF and looks forward to working with this exceptionally talent-rich university to expand TCRDF and HBCU capacity in areas where we are unfamiliar and before this agreement did not fully appreciate,” said John Rosenthall, president and CEO of TCRDF. “We look forward to reaching and helping other HBCUs reach new heights in research and contracts that previously appeared beyond our grasp.”
In addition to faculty, USF will assist undergraduate students at HBCUs with securing internships and mentoring opportunities. USF joins Brown University, Purdue University, Mississippi State University, Georgia Tech Research Institute and the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies in signing similar partnership agreements.
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USF has become the first university in Florida and one of just a handful of universities in the nation to join a new network that connects research institutions with historically black colleges or universities (HBCUs).
The new agreement, facilitated by the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation (TCRDF), allows the USF Institute of Applied Engineering (IAE) to partner with HBCUs in their efforts to secure research funding and contracts with the federal government, especially the U.S. Department of Defense.
Since its formation in 2018, the IAE has secured more than $95 million in contract opportunities from the federal government to conduct a range of research, such as the creation of new technologies and processes for U.S. Special Operations Command, U.S. Central Command, the U.S. Air Force and NASA.
“We are incredibly excited to begin this partnership as it brings intellectual capital from across the United States together in the same room to solve the problems of tomorrow,” said Darren Schumacher, president and CEO of the IAE.
More than 30 HBCUs are members of the TCRDF network, which includes Florida A&M University. It was established to help HBCUs navigate the often-complex research and contracting processes and broaden the nation’s expertise in STEM fields. The TCRDF also has an active partnership with the National Sponsored Programs Administrators Alliance, which includes more than 100 HBCU member institutions.
“TCRDF is fortunate to enter into this agreement with USF and looks forward to working with this exceptionally talent-rich university to expand TCRDF and HBCU capacity in areas where we are unfamiliar and before this agreement did not fully appreciate,” said John Rosenthall, president and CEO of TCRDF. “We look forward to reaching and helping other HBCUs reach new heights in research and contracts that previously appeared beyond our grasp.”
In addition to faculty, USF will assist undergraduate students at HBCUs with securing internships and mentoring opportunities. USF joins Brown University, Purdue University, Mississippi State University, Georgia Tech Research Institute and the University of Southern California Institute for Creative Technologies in signing similar partnership agreements.
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Tougaloo College and Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation Host Productive Meeting with United States Sen. Roger F. Wicker
Tougaloo, Mississippi — Aug. 3, 2023 — Tougaloo College and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation were honored to welcome United States Sen. Roger F. Wicker to their campus on Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2023. The meeting took place in the historic Tougaloo College Chapel.
The meeting allowed Tougaloo College and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation to engage in a productive dialogue with Senator Wicker. The esteemed Senator took the time to learn about the College's ongoing initiatives, research projects, and workforce development efforts.
Tougaloo College is excited to partner with the newly created 15th HBCU University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), a strategic United States Department of Defense (DoD) research program to maintain essential engineering and technology capabilities critical to building a stronger nation. “Senator Roger Wicker’s recent visit to the campus was an opportunity to hear and see firsthand the continued work the institution is doing to help strengthen the state of Mississippi’s economy. Tougaloo is among the top 25 U.S. institutions that graduate students who earn their Ph.D. degrees in science and engineering disciplines. We are grateful for the opportunity to be at the table to collaborate with other knowledge organizations to offer solutions to meet the needs of the DoD while helping increase diversity. We appreciate Senator Wickers’ commitment to helping Tougaloo increase its research capacity, which will contribute to economic progress throughout the state of Mississippi and beyond,” said Tougaloo College President Dr. Donzell Lee.
During the meeting, Tougaloo College shared its vision for innovative research, workforce development, and educational programs. The College's dedication to fostering intellectual growth, cultural enrichment, and workforce development was well-received by Senator Wicker.
The Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation, which plays a vital role in supporting the College's research initiatives, highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and government in promoting advancements in various fields within the defense industry. The Foundation demonstrated its commitment to innovation and the pursuit of research and development opportunities.
Tougaloo College was included in the newly formed HBCU University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) consortium earlier this year. The HBCU UARC is funded by the United States Air Force.
“Being a member of the HBCU UARC consortium provides an excellent opportunity for the College to significantly increase its research and contract portfolio. We look forward to working with Senator Wicker and his staff to secure research grants and contracts from the Department of Defense, Air Force, and other military services,” said John Rosenthall, President of the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation. “For every research or contract dollar the college receives, it also receives additional funds that can be allocated to important uses, including faculty support, student recruiting, and infrastructure enhancement.”
Senator Wicker is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Armed Services, the oversight committee for the Department of Defense and military services. The Senator agreed to have open lines of communication between his staff, Tougaloo College, and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation. “These frequent interactions will allow the College and the Research Foundation to gain greater insights into the Department of Defense's problems, challenges, and opportunities, and hence improve our capacity to present winning solutions,” added Rosenthall.
All parties expressed their enthusiasm for working together toward shared goals of education, research, and workforce development.
“It was great to be back at Tougaloo College and see all that they are doing to make Mississippi a better place. It is clear that the faculty and staff are working hard to expand their reach, and I look forward to working with them to support our national security and enhance the strong research and development community in our state,” Wicker said.
Tougaloo College and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation extend their heartfelt gratitude to Sen. Roger F. Wicker for his visit and his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote progress and positive change.
The meeting allowed Tougaloo College and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation to engage in a productive dialogue with Senator Wicker. The esteemed Senator took the time to learn about the College's ongoing initiatives, research projects, and workforce development efforts.
Tougaloo College is excited to partner with the newly created 15th HBCU University Affiliated Research Center (UARC), a strategic United States Department of Defense (DoD) research program to maintain essential engineering and technology capabilities critical to building a stronger nation. “Senator Roger Wicker’s recent visit to the campus was an opportunity to hear and see firsthand the continued work the institution is doing to help strengthen the state of Mississippi’s economy. Tougaloo is among the top 25 U.S. institutions that graduate students who earn their Ph.D. degrees in science and engineering disciplines. We are grateful for the opportunity to be at the table to collaborate with other knowledge organizations to offer solutions to meet the needs of the DoD while helping increase diversity. We appreciate Senator Wickers’ commitment to helping Tougaloo increase its research capacity, which will contribute to economic progress throughout the state of Mississippi and beyond,” said Tougaloo College President Dr. Donzell Lee.
During the meeting, Tougaloo College shared its vision for innovative research, workforce development, and educational programs. The College's dedication to fostering intellectual growth, cultural enrichment, and workforce development was well-received by Senator Wicker.
The Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation, which plays a vital role in supporting the College's research initiatives, highlighted the importance of collaboration between academia and government in promoting advancements in various fields within the defense industry. The Foundation demonstrated its commitment to innovation and the pursuit of research and development opportunities.
Tougaloo College was included in the newly formed HBCU University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) consortium earlier this year. The HBCU UARC is funded by the United States Air Force.
“Being a member of the HBCU UARC consortium provides an excellent opportunity for the College to significantly increase its research and contract portfolio. We look forward to working with Senator Wicker and his staff to secure research grants and contracts from the Department of Defense, Air Force, and other military services,” said John Rosenthall, President of the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation. “For every research or contract dollar the college receives, it also receives additional funds that can be allocated to important uses, including faculty support, student recruiting, and infrastructure enhancement.”
Senator Wicker is the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on the Armed Services, the oversight committee for the Department of Defense and military services. The Senator agreed to have open lines of communication between his staff, Tougaloo College, and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation. “These frequent interactions will allow the College and the Research Foundation to gain greater insights into the Department of Defense's problems, challenges, and opportunities, and hence improve our capacity to present winning solutions,” added Rosenthall.
All parties expressed their enthusiasm for working together toward shared goals of education, research, and workforce development.
“It was great to be back at Tougaloo College and see all that they are doing to make Mississippi a better place. It is clear that the faculty and staff are working hard to expand their reach, and I look forward to working with them to support our national security and enhance the strong research and development community in our state,” Wicker said.
Tougaloo College and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation extend their heartfelt gratitude to Sen. Roger F. Wicker for his visit and his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote progress and positive change.
Howard University Awarded $90 Million Contract by Air Force, DOD to Establish First-Ever University Affiliated Research Center Led by an HBCU
WASHINGTON – Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick, M.D., MBA, hosted U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin III, and U.S. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall to announce that Howard will serve as the 15th University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). With this announcement, Howard makes history as the first HBCU to lead a UARC and the first center to be funded by the Air Force.
Howard University UARC Consortium Schools include:
The center at Howard University will focus its research on tactical autonomy. The UARC will be established through a five-year, $90 million contract agreement with the Department of Defense. Through the center, Howard University will be awarded $18 million annually to conduct research that will contribute to the development of efficient, affordable, trustworthy human-machine teaming and systems-of-systems with autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that fall within the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and DOD’s modernization priorities.
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Howard University UARC Consortium Schools include:
- Jackson State University;
- Hampton University;
- Tuskegee University;
- Bowie State University;
- Delaware State University;
- Florida Memorial University;
- Norfolk State University; and
- Tougaloo College.
The center at Howard University will focus its research on tactical autonomy. The UARC will be established through a five-year, $90 million contract agreement with the Department of Defense. Through the center, Howard University will be awarded $18 million annually to conduct research that will contribute to the development of efficient, affordable, trustworthy human-machine teaming and systems-of-systems with autonomy and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities that fall within the U.S. Air Force, Space Force, and DOD’s modernization priorities.
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Research Next Project Team Promotes Collaboration With HBCUs
JUN 22, 2023 — ATLANTA, GA
Workforce diversity in science and technology is widely seen as necessary for continued innovation. For Georgia Tech, striving toward inclusivity starts with a simple but crucial goal: building deep, lasting research partnerships.
Research Next, a planning initiative for Georgia Tech’s research enterprise, was launched by Executive Vice President for Research Chaouki T. Abdallah in 2020 and co-chaired by Tim Lieuwen and Mark Whorton. As part of Phase 3, project teams worked throughout the past year to implement its goals.
One Research Next project team has paved the way for inclusive research collaborations to thrive at Georgia Tech and beyond. The team was charged with identifying opportunities and developing support systems to facilitate research collaborations between Georgia Tech and HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) and MSIs (minority-serving institutions).
Since kicking off in March 2022, the project team solidified new research partnerships, developed a digital networking tool to connect Georgia Tech and HBCU researchers, and created and hired a full-time position at Tech for ongoing engagement with HBCUs and MSIs. The group was co-led by George White, senior director for strategic partnerships in the Office of the Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research and principal research engineer at Georgia Tech, and Thomas Martin, chief scientist for the Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).
“The goal of our work is not only to support collaborative research with HBCUs and MSIs, but also to strengthen the pipeline of top graduates who will enhance diversity in our state and nation’s workforce,” White said. “One of the first key steps was to hear from the groups we were charged to work with.”
Defining the Challenge
The team began by leveraging GTRI’s longstanding work and connections with HBCUs, which include federally funded collaborative research projects and workforce development initiatives. The group invited representatives from the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation (TCRDF), a consortium of HBCUs whose mission is to advance research collaborations between HBCUs and the Department of Defense. Members of TCRDF educated the project team about challenges HBCUs face in obtaining federally sponsored research.
“GTRI has been fortunate to collaborate with TCRDF in support of the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Aviation & Missile Center’s mission to accelerate research collaborations with HBCUs and MSIs and enrich the workforce with a pipeline of talented graduates,” Martin said.
Throughout the year, the project team hosted seminars with HBCUs where they highlighted research activities at the Institute and discussed how HBCUs could participate in areas of mutual research interests. The team also joined TCRDF’s open virtual meeting hours every week to talk about research engagement opportunities at Georgia Tech.
In addition, they recommended that Georgia Tech create a dedicated, permanent position to facilitate ongoing engagement with HBCUs. Taiesha Smith, the first senior program manager for Georgia Tech’s HBCU/MSI Research Collaboration Initiative, will lead outreach efforts to increase and foster enduring research collaborations.
“I'm excited to be the connective tissue between Georgia Tech, HBCUs, and MSIs in building sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships that lead to successful research collaboration,” Smith said. “I aim to accomplish this goal through a commitment to understanding the needs of HBCUs and MSIs, communicating their value to all stakeholders, and supporting them in making appropriate connections across Georgia Tech and beyond.”
Steps Forward
The project team led the development of a software tool, CollabNext, that facilitates research interaction and collaborations between HBCUs and Georgia Tech. Using the tool, researchers can find partners at HBCUs based on specific disciplines and areas of interest. The tool is currently in beta version and has expanded to include Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Texas Southern University, Fisk University, and the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Data Science Initiative. A website hosts the tool and provides information about the initiative.
The team also is planning a forum that will bring together researchers from Georgia Tech and several HBCUs/MSIs, as well as government officials and industry leaders from top STEM companies. A major goal of the event will be for participants to develop white papers to better position HBCUs and MSIs to compete for large federal funding opportunities. The multi-day event will be organized by the Office of the Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research and is set to take place in November.
Additional steps taken to establish and solidify research partnerships:
“This Research Next project provided the opportunity not only to coordinate efforts across Georgia Tech to enhance research collaborations with HBCUs and MSIs, but also to position Georgia Tech as thought leaders in this initiative,“ said Martin.
Team co-leader George White attended Hampton University, a prominent HBCU, and saw firsthand some of the resource challenges that the institutions face when trying to secure federally sponsored research. The initiative’s mission continues to be important for him personally.
“Our work with HBCUs supports Georgia Tech’s strategic plan by increasing accessibility and improving the human condition,” he said. “With the vast resources we have here, it is important to work together to find solutions to these pressing challenges.”
Visit hbcumsi.research.gatech.edu to learn more about the initiative.
CLICK HERE to view this article on source site.
Workforce diversity in science and technology is widely seen as necessary for continued innovation. For Georgia Tech, striving toward inclusivity starts with a simple but crucial goal: building deep, lasting research partnerships.
Research Next, a planning initiative for Georgia Tech’s research enterprise, was launched by Executive Vice President for Research Chaouki T. Abdallah in 2020 and co-chaired by Tim Lieuwen and Mark Whorton. As part of Phase 3, project teams worked throughout the past year to implement its goals.
One Research Next project team has paved the way for inclusive research collaborations to thrive at Georgia Tech and beyond. The team was charged with identifying opportunities and developing support systems to facilitate research collaborations between Georgia Tech and HBCUs (historically Black colleges and universities) and MSIs (minority-serving institutions).
Since kicking off in March 2022, the project team solidified new research partnerships, developed a digital networking tool to connect Georgia Tech and HBCU researchers, and created and hired a full-time position at Tech for ongoing engagement with HBCUs and MSIs. The group was co-led by George White, senior director for strategic partnerships in the Office of the Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research and principal research engineer at Georgia Tech, and Thomas Martin, chief scientist for the Electro-Optical Systems Laboratory at the Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI).
“The goal of our work is not only to support collaborative research with HBCUs and MSIs, but also to strengthen the pipeline of top graduates who will enhance diversity in our state and nation’s workforce,” White said. “One of the first key steps was to hear from the groups we were charged to work with.”
Defining the Challenge
The team began by leveraging GTRI’s longstanding work and connections with HBCUs, which include federally funded collaborative research projects and workforce development initiatives. The group invited representatives from the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation (TCRDF), a consortium of HBCUs whose mission is to advance research collaborations between HBCUs and the Department of Defense. Members of TCRDF educated the project team about challenges HBCUs face in obtaining federally sponsored research.
“GTRI has been fortunate to collaborate with TCRDF in support of the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Aviation & Missile Center’s mission to accelerate research collaborations with HBCUs and MSIs and enrich the workforce with a pipeline of talented graduates,” Martin said.
Throughout the year, the project team hosted seminars with HBCUs where they highlighted research activities at the Institute and discussed how HBCUs could participate in areas of mutual research interests. The team also joined TCRDF’s open virtual meeting hours every week to talk about research engagement opportunities at Georgia Tech.
In addition, they recommended that Georgia Tech create a dedicated, permanent position to facilitate ongoing engagement with HBCUs. Taiesha Smith, the first senior program manager for Georgia Tech’s HBCU/MSI Research Collaboration Initiative, will lead outreach efforts to increase and foster enduring research collaborations.
“I'm excited to be the connective tissue between Georgia Tech, HBCUs, and MSIs in building sustainable and mutually beneficial relationships that lead to successful research collaboration,” Smith said. “I aim to accomplish this goal through a commitment to understanding the needs of HBCUs and MSIs, communicating their value to all stakeholders, and supporting them in making appropriate connections across Georgia Tech and beyond.”
Steps Forward
The project team led the development of a software tool, CollabNext, that facilitates research interaction and collaborations between HBCUs and Georgia Tech. Using the tool, researchers can find partners at HBCUs based on specific disciplines and areas of interest. The tool is currently in beta version and has expanded to include Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Texas Southern University, Fisk University, and the Atlanta University Center (AUC) Data Science Initiative. A website hosts the tool and provides information about the initiative.
The team also is planning a forum that will bring together researchers from Georgia Tech and several HBCUs/MSIs, as well as government officials and industry leaders from top STEM companies. A major goal of the event will be for participants to develop white papers to better position HBCUs and MSIs to compete for large federal funding opportunities. The multi-day event will be organized by the Office of the Vice President for Interdisciplinary Research and is set to take place in November.
Additional steps taken to establish and solidify research partnerships:
- Submitted a joint proposal for an NSF Regional Innovation Engine with TCRDF and seven HBCU/MSI partner institutions.
- Submitted a joint NSF proposal with the AUC Data Science Initiative, Morehouse College, and TCRDF to establish the inaugural research collaboration forum at Georgia Tech.
- Launched the Biomedical Data Science Summer Research Program.
- Prepared a memorandum of understanding (pending) to establish a semiconductor research initiative with HBCU/MSIs.
- Modified an agreement with Ford Motor Company to allow HBCU/MSI institutions to participate in sponsored research projects in collaboration with Georgia Tech.
- Participated in the 2022 National HBCU Week, hosted by the executive director for White House Initiatives on HBCUs. Georgia Tech will participate again in 2023 to introduce CollabNext and present best practices for engaging in collaborative research.
- Submitted proposals to the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Hub (with Battelle Memorial Institute) and Direct Air Capture Hub (with Southern States Energy Board) to develop a collaborative research and community engagement consortium made up of HBCUs and MSIs.
- Georgia Tech will serve as an unbiased science convener for the HBCUs/MSIs, which will receive the majority of funding and engagement. This work is in partnership with Tech’s Serve-Learn-Sustain.
“This Research Next project provided the opportunity not only to coordinate efforts across Georgia Tech to enhance research collaborations with HBCUs and MSIs, but also to position Georgia Tech as thought leaders in this initiative,“ said Martin.
Team co-leader George White attended Hampton University, a prominent HBCU, and saw firsthand some of the resource challenges that the institutions face when trying to secure federally sponsored research. The initiative’s mission continues to be important for him personally.
“Our work with HBCUs supports Georgia Tech’s strategic plan by increasing accessibility and improving the human condition,” he said. “With the vast resources we have here, it is important to work together to find solutions to these pressing challenges.”
Visit hbcumsi.research.gatech.edu to learn more about the initiative.
CLICK HERE to view this article on source site.
Tougaloo College snags role in major research contract, sets stage for major enrollment push
April 25th, 2023 | By Max Dickstein
Tougaloo College is thinking big.
Led by President Carmen J. Walters, the 700-student college 10 miles north of Jackson has carved out a potentially game-changing role in a $90 million federal research project.
By negotiating Tougaloo’s entry into a consortium led by Howard University in Washington, D.C., Walters placed her institution at the center of a five-year, $90 million research contract with the United States Air Force and Department of Defense.
“Dr. Walters was able to get Tougaloo on the team,” said John Rosenthall, who, as president of the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation, is supporting the college in the project, known as a university-affiliated research center (UARC).
Tougaloo, currently the recipient of $5.35 million annually in federal research funding, will now be able to secure research funds and contracts through the UARC vehicle in a manner like major research institutions that host a UARC, such as Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins, and MIT, flashing the potential of creating a well-funded research portfolio for this small liberal arts school.
The UARC will allow the college to ramp up its research capacity and output in the area of “tactical autonomy,” including artificial intelligence and machine learning. Plans include leveraging the school’s historical relationship with Brown University, Mississippi State University, and other corporate partners to tap the advisory expertise needed to compete for research dollars within the UARC, which comprises a total of nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
At his January announcement of the UARC, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pointed out that HBCUs graduate nearly 30% of Black STEM professionals and a third of STEM Ph.D. students, and yet HBCUs only receive 0.5% of institution research funds — an inequity Tougaloo and the new project aim to reverse.
“The impact that Tougaloo College has had on the state of Mississippi, and by extension, the entire nation, is immense,” Walters said. “Tougaloo’s ability to participate in the UARC distinguishes it from other small, liberal arts institutions and provides it with a unique competitive advantage and the ability to strengthen its research activity and capacity in meaningful ways.”
According to Rosenthall, a goal of $25 million in annual research revenue for Tougaloo is within reach. Those funds will allow the college to reduce teaching loads, increase the research activity of current faculty, and hire new faculty and researchers.
“We have a tremendously talented faculty that is highly trained and can stand on equal footing with faculty members anywhere given the opportunities and resources,” Rosenthall said.
Every research dollar includes a certain amount above and beyond that required for
direct labor, equipment, travel, and supplies. So, as the research portfolio increases, funds for other areas of need at Tougaloo, such as enrollment and student success, will also increase.
“Being a part of the HBCU UARC allows Tougaloo College to provide additional opportunities and resources to our faculty and students,” Rosenthall said. “It supports our financial stability, recruitment efforts, infrastructure, and almost every other phase of our operation.”
Mixing drive with compassion
Entry into the UARC follows a challenging period for Tougaloo College (and all of higher education) as the college’s leadership steered the institution through morale and enrollment challenges during the pandemic.
Schenika T. Harrison, Tougaloo’s Title III Director, had a front-row seat to watch the nimble leadership of Walters.
Among the initiatives Walters championed and Harrison helped execute were:
“Everyone took a break and still got paid for that,” Harrison said. “Dr. Walters is at the forefront encouraging the faculty, doing all that she can to build the momentum to make the faculty feel engaged.”
Not only did faculty survive the always-on challenges of remote instruction, so did the institution.
“The institution survived a pandemic,” said Harrison, who helped the college develop a new strategic plan. “We came out of that in the green, without having to get any loans.”
Bolstering enrollment post-pandemic
At the height of the pandemic, the total enrollment at HBCUs nationwide fell to its lowest level in nearly two decades, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. While several institutions like Tougaloo have struggled to rebound, Walters has embraced strategic partnerships to help the college weather the storm, including work with a transformation project through the United Negro College Fund’s Institute for Capacity Building (ICB).
The goal of the partnership is to secure gains in student enrollment, success and workforce outcomes. The mission of ICB is to propel student success, community advancement and the fight for racial-justice equity by focusing on six strategies: transformation support, executive leadership, financial sustainability, digital solutions, knowledge management and strategy development.
“The transformation partnership with ICB has changed the DNA of how presidents think about improvement,” Walters said. “It’s made us wiser and more strategic. Indeed, when we go together, we go further for our students and communities. In Tougaloo’s case, this partnership will help us rethink the ways in which we attract and nurture prospective students.”
The ICB’s mission goes hand in glove with Tougaloo College’s new strategic plan. Over the next several years, the college will focus its efforts on increasing enrollment, retention, and graduation; strengthening experiential learning, internship, and career activities; ensuring affordability through increased scholarships; and tailoring its offerings and support for first-year, first-time, and transfer students.
Tougaloo is also focused on increasing access to higher education, particularly for students in the state of Mississippi. To support the work to bolster enrollment, through the ICB, Tougaloo is partnering with higher education enrollment giant EAB to find creative ways to drive prospective students’ interest in Tougaloo.
Tougaloo’s partners are duly impressed with its progress.
“Tougaloo College is laser-focused on advancing its strategic goals through participation in the UNCF transformation project,” said Ed Smith-Lewis, vice president of strategic and institutional partnerships at the United Negro College Fund. “By kickstarting deliberate initiatives designed to increase enrollment and redesign recruitment strategies, the institution is determined to go from good to great, and continues to model the behavior of an institution driving transformation to improve student success and institutional outcomes.”
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Tougaloo College is thinking big.
Led by President Carmen J. Walters, the 700-student college 10 miles north of Jackson has carved out a potentially game-changing role in a $90 million federal research project.
By negotiating Tougaloo’s entry into a consortium led by Howard University in Washington, D.C., Walters placed her institution at the center of a five-year, $90 million research contract with the United States Air Force and Department of Defense.
“Dr. Walters was able to get Tougaloo on the team,” said John Rosenthall, who, as president of the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation, is supporting the college in the project, known as a university-affiliated research center (UARC).
Tougaloo, currently the recipient of $5.35 million annually in federal research funding, will now be able to secure research funds and contracts through the UARC vehicle in a manner like major research institutions that host a UARC, such as Georgia Tech, Johns Hopkins, and MIT, flashing the potential of creating a well-funded research portfolio for this small liberal arts school.
The UARC will allow the college to ramp up its research capacity and output in the area of “tactical autonomy,” including artificial intelligence and machine learning. Plans include leveraging the school’s historical relationship with Brown University, Mississippi State University, and other corporate partners to tap the advisory expertise needed to compete for research dollars within the UARC, which comprises a total of nine Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
At his January announcement of the UARC, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin pointed out that HBCUs graduate nearly 30% of Black STEM professionals and a third of STEM Ph.D. students, and yet HBCUs only receive 0.5% of institution research funds — an inequity Tougaloo and the new project aim to reverse.
“The impact that Tougaloo College has had on the state of Mississippi, and by extension, the entire nation, is immense,” Walters said. “Tougaloo’s ability to participate in the UARC distinguishes it from other small, liberal arts institutions and provides it with a unique competitive advantage and the ability to strengthen its research activity and capacity in meaningful ways.”
According to Rosenthall, a goal of $25 million in annual research revenue for Tougaloo is within reach. Those funds will allow the college to reduce teaching loads, increase the research activity of current faculty, and hire new faculty and researchers.
“We have a tremendously talented faculty that is highly trained and can stand on equal footing with faculty members anywhere given the opportunities and resources,” Rosenthall said.
Every research dollar includes a certain amount above and beyond that required for
direct labor, equipment, travel, and supplies. So, as the research portfolio increases, funds for other areas of need at Tougaloo, such as enrollment and student success, will also increase.
“Being a part of the HBCU UARC allows Tougaloo College to provide additional opportunities and resources to our faculty and students,” Rosenthall said. “It supports our financial stability, recruitment efforts, infrastructure, and almost every other phase of our operation.”
Mixing drive with compassion
Entry into the UARC follows a challenging period for Tougaloo College (and all of higher education) as the college’s leadership steered the institution through morale and enrollment challenges during the pandemic.
Schenika T. Harrison, Tougaloo’s Title III Director, had a front-row seat to watch the nimble leadership of Walters.
Among the initiatives Walters championed and Harrison helped execute were:
- a $2 million Cares Act grant from the U.S. Department of Education to upgrade campus technology,
- the creation of the Tougaloo College E-sports Program,
- the complete renovation of Science Labs in Kincheloe Hall,
- and participation in the Project School Emergency Response to Violence (Project SERV) Grant Program: increased campus security measures, targeted mental health services on campus, and adjunct personnel support for full-time faculty who were receiving counseling services.
“Everyone took a break and still got paid for that,” Harrison said. “Dr. Walters is at the forefront encouraging the faculty, doing all that she can to build the momentum to make the faculty feel engaged.”
Not only did faculty survive the always-on challenges of remote instruction, so did the institution.
“The institution survived a pandemic,” said Harrison, who helped the college develop a new strategic plan. “We came out of that in the green, without having to get any loans.”
Bolstering enrollment post-pandemic
At the height of the pandemic, the total enrollment at HBCUs nationwide fell to its lowest level in nearly two decades, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. While several institutions like Tougaloo have struggled to rebound, Walters has embraced strategic partnerships to help the college weather the storm, including work with a transformation project through the United Negro College Fund’s Institute for Capacity Building (ICB).
The goal of the partnership is to secure gains in student enrollment, success and workforce outcomes. The mission of ICB is to propel student success, community advancement and the fight for racial-justice equity by focusing on six strategies: transformation support, executive leadership, financial sustainability, digital solutions, knowledge management and strategy development.
“The transformation partnership with ICB has changed the DNA of how presidents think about improvement,” Walters said. “It’s made us wiser and more strategic. Indeed, when we go together, we go further for our students and communities. In Tougaloo’s case, this partnership will help us rethink the ways in which we attract and nurture prospective students.”
The ICB’s mission goes hand in glove with Tougaloo College’s new strategic plan. Over the next several years, the college will focus its efforts on increasing enrollment, retention, and graduation; strengthening experiential learning, internship, and career activities; ensuring affordability through increased scholarships; and tailoring its offerings and support for first-year, first-time, and transfer students.
Tougaloo is also focused on increasing access to higher education, particularly for students in the state of Mississippi. To support the work to bolster enrollment, through the ICB, Tougaloo is partnering with higher education enrollment giant EAB to find creative ways to drive prospective students’ interest in Tougaloo.
Tougaloo’s partners are duly impressed with its progress.
“Tougaloo College is laser-focused on advancing its strategic goals through participation in the UNCF transformation project,” said Ed Smith-Lewis, vice president of strategic and institutional partnerships at the United Negro College Fund. “By kickstarting deliberate initiatives designed to increase enrollment and redesign recruitment strategies, the institution is determined to go from good to great, and continues to model the behavior of an institution driving transformation to improve student success and institutional outcomes.”
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