Partnership between ECSU and Wake Tech to launch aviation and drone program
By Sheyla Fairley
Wake Technical Community College, Raleigh, NC, and Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC, have signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) to prepare students for fields in Aviation and Public Safety, which was delivered by a drone during the ceremony.
As stated in a release, the partnership includes “the development of [unmanned aircraft systems] programming for operating drone equipment,” a potential drone academy, and a drone simulation lab.
“Wake Tech is thrilled to join forces with ECSU, a leader in aviation education, to provide such exciting new opportunities to our community, and especially to residents of eastern Wake County,” said Wake Tech president Dr. Scott Ralls. “This partnership is an innovative response to the region’s needs. Public safety training is, of course, vital to our communities – and to Wake Tech’s mission – and unmanned aircraft systems, or drones, are rapidly becoming a critical component in keeping our communities safe.”
Wells Fargo creates financial literacy program aimed at HBCUs
By Sheyla Fairley
Wells Fargo has created a new initiative called Our Money Matters (OMM), geared towards historically Black colleges and universities students, to increase the financial literacy of minority and underserved communities.
According to an article, OMM strives to “develop, support, and scale access to financial education and sound financial habits” since these communities have “historically been among the most vulnerable to discriminatory banking practices and a lack of financial knowledge and resources.”
“The initiative started with a partnership between HBCU CDAC (Community Development Action Coalition) and the Wells Fargo Foundation, focusing on opening pathways for economic advancement for minorities,” explained Darlene Goins, executive vice president and head of banking inclusion initiative for Wells Fargo. “Financial literacy is a real entry point where a difference can be made in the community, and in working with HBCUs, we are giving the necessary financial education and resources to tomorrow’s leaders.”
For more information, read the full article here.
President of ABC News to speak at Morgan State fall commencement
By Sheyla Fairley
ABC News president Kim Godwin, a graduate of Florida A&M University, Tallahassee, FL, has been chosen to be the keynote speaker for Morgan State University’s, Baltimore, MD, 10th Fall Commencement Ceremony on Friday, December 15, 2023.
“In a world where women have endured undue marginalization, hurdles, and scrutiny, Kim Godwin’s rise and accomplishments embody perseverance, determination, and the audacity to succeed. She is a proven leader and a true visionary who took over one of America’s top broadcast networks, serving as a stalwart for innovation, diversity and excellence,” said Morgan State president David K. Wilson in a release. “Her career trajectory serves as a stellar example for our students to follow while emphasizing the significance of exercising professional responsibility and the great benefit of challenging oneself to think and act boldly in the face of adversity or dismantling barriers.”
Coppin State receives $1M from the U.S. Department of Education to train special education teachers
By Sheyla Fairley
According to an article, the U.S. Department of Education awarded $1 million to Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD, to support a program called Project POSE (Preparing Outstanding Special Educators), which will “support and train educators to improve overall reading, math, and social emotional outcomes for school-age children with disabilities in Maryland.”
“Coppin State was founded as a training ground for those who educate generations of students. It is only natural that we continue that tradition by developing a model of excellence for inclusive education and fill a need that exists across our state,” said Anthony L. Jenkins, president of Coppin State University. “Training more teachers from diverse backgrounds helps build connections with our children, bolster their confidence, improve their academic achievement, and provide them with skills that will help them thrive well into adulthood.”
Read the full article, here.
Maryland’s attorney general and public defender launch collaborative with Bowie State to reduce mass incarceration
By Sheyla Fairley
Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown and Public Defender Natasha Dartigue announced the creation of the Maryland Equitable Justice Collaborative (MEJC), an initiative aimed at reducing the overincarceration of Black men and women in Maryland with Bowie State University’s, Bowie, MD, Institute for Restorative Justice and Practices also part of the collaborative.
According to an article, the collaborative will bring together “experts from the criminal justice system, academia, government and the community to identify causes of the crisis and develop a strategy for reform.”
“This initiative is an opportunity to help change the lives of individuals, families and communities,” said Dr. Aminta Breaux, president of Bowie State University. “By collaborating and working with the Attorney General, Public Defender and the other partners on this project, we can provide more hope for people. Maryland can make a difference and reverse the decades long pattern of black and brown people dominating our prison population.”
For more details, read the full article here.
