Coppin State University to offer in-state tuition to out-of-state undergraduates

By Sheyla Fairley

Starting fall 2024, undergraduate students from over 30 states will be eligible for in-state intuition at Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD. The initiative was approved by the University System of Maryland Board of Regents earlier this year.

“At a time where more individuals and families are questioning the value and cost of higher education, our goal is to reduce barriers and increase access to the quality education Coppin State University provides, at an affordable price,” stated Anthony L. Jenkins, president of Coppin State. “Coppin State gives our students a transformative educational experience in an environment that nurtures, challenges, and empowers them, regardless of their racial or socioeconomic background.”

For more details, read the full article here.

WSSU alumna Dee Todd recognized by Nike for her career

By Sheyla Fairley

Winston-Salem State University, Winston-Salem, NC, alumna and former North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, director Delores “Dee” Todd has been named an honoree of Nike’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Women Leaders in College Sports. The award recognizes individuals who dedicated their careers to advancing women in sports.

According to an article, Todd was a trailblazer in many things as she became “the first woman of color to serve as NACWAA (National Association of Collegiate Women Athletic Administrators) president” in 1995, named the “first full-time track and field and cross-country coach” at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, became the “first female and the first minority to serve as the assistant commissioner of the Atlantic Coast Conference,” became North Carolina A&T’s first female athletic director, and still remains active through her retirement.

“We can make our dreams and those of the women who paved the way before us, a reality. WE are Women in Athletics, WE are survivors, WE should strive to share our experiences with each other. WE must instill the need for hard work, honesty and determination,” said Todd, during her time as the NACWAA president.

Read the full article, here.

N.C. A&T student gains insights and enhances skills during internship with Congresswoman Alma Adams

By Sheyla Fairley

During the summer, Jordynn Holley, a senior mass media production major at North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC, completed an internship with Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, who represents North Carolina’s 12th congressional district.

According to an article, Holley’s responsibilities during her summer internship included “compiling press clips, crafting social media campaigns, editing impactful videos, staffing the congresswoman at public events and drafting engaging press releases” which has “enhanced her media production skills” and helped her gain “valuable insights into the world of politics and public service.”

“Congresswoman Adams has empowered and pushed me to strive for excellence, and she reminds me of the many great people in my life who share their wisdom, knowledge and understanding,” said Holley.

For more information, read the full article here.

Bowie State history professor receives grant to focus on historic African American communities in Maryland

By Sheyla Fairley

Bowie State University, Bowie, MD, associate professor Dr. Karen Cook-Bell has been given a $150,000 two-year grant from the Mellon Foundation to fund history projects focused on African American communities in Sharpsburg, MD.

As stated in a release, the chapel was built in 1866 “on land donated by an African American couple which would go on to serve as one the earliest schools for former slaves,” following the Battle of Antietam, “credited as the Civil War’s deadliest one-day battle.”

The grant will be used to hire ten local community members to “help research public records and interview members of the Tolson’s Chapel community,” as well as for “the creation of a digital archive and art exhibit.”

“We hope to demonstrate how African Americans were in self-supportive, independent communities that thrived in spite of a hostile society,” said Dr. Cook-Bell.

AI sports course to arrive at Morehouse College

By Sheyla Fairley

Morehouse College, Atlanta, GA, has partnered with Student Freedom Initiative and Stats Perform, the leading sports data and AI company, to create a new course called “AI in Basketball,” set to launch this fall on campus.

As stated in a release, the course will be taught by Dr. Patrick Lucey, Chief Scientist at Stats Perform, and is available to students “majoring in the areas of math, physics, and engineering” from Morehouse, Spelman College, Atlanta, GA, and Clark Atlanta University — all part of the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC).

“We are excited to show the students some of the many ways AI can take basketball to new levels for teams, players, media organizations, fans, and others, and see it as the perfect vehicle for students to get a deep understanding on how AI can be used across many fields,” said Dr. Lucey.