SECTOR NEWS

HBCUs Launch Data Science Consortium

Dr. Felesia Stukes, Johnson C. Smith University Assistant Professor of Computer Science, and faculty from five collaborating HBCUs are building a consortium of data science and business analytics researchers, scholars and industry partners designed to inspire and extend a culture of academic development and research collaborations across the region, state, and ultimately, the nation. 

Along with Stukes, the partnering faculty from HBCUs - Florida A&M University, Alabama A&M University, Bowie State University, Morehouse College, and Norfolk State University -recently received a seed grant award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) funded South Big Data Innovation Hub to develop and implement this consortium. (Courtesy: jcsu.edu)

ECSU Receives Grant to Support Research into Mutation of COVID-19 Virus

Elizabeth City State University has received a $75,000 grant from the UNC System to support ongoing research into the mutation of the COVID-19 virus. According to the grant’s principal investigator, Dr. Hirendrana Banerjee, there are multiple strains of the virus and identifying which one is infecting the people throughout the Northeastern North Carolina region is important to future vaccine development.  (Courtesy: ecsu.edu)

Halliburton Joins with PVAMU to Create $1 Million Scholarship Fund

One of the world’s largest providers of products and services to the energy industry has donated $1 million to Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU) to produce new scholarships for students. The Halliburton Business and Engineering Scholarship Fund, created by Halliburton, will go towards eligible juniors and seniors at PVAMU majoring in accounting, management information systems, finance, and engineering. (Courtesy: pvamu.edu)

WATCH: Stacey Abrams Message to Spelman Woman

Ahead of the 2020 general election, Spelman College alumna Stacey Abrams shared a message to current students about her college experience, and the need for a new generation of civic advocates.

Back from 2 Decades on the Brink

Three things saved Morris Brown College, according to its president: God, alumni and the African Methodist Episcopal Church.

After nearly two decades in bankruptcy proceedings, rebuilding a crumbling campus and seeking a new accreditor, Morris Brown may be back from the brink of closure. The Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, a national accrediting agency, approved the college’s application for accreditation in November. Pending a successful site visit by the agency this month, the college will become a candidate for accreditation after first losing its accreditation more than 18 years ago. (Courtesy: Inside Higher Ed)

INDUSTRY NEWS

• Dept. of Ed Says Title IX Does Not Apply to LGBTQ Discrimination (Inside Higher Ed)

• Hey Higher Education: You’re On Mute (Forbes)

• Higher Education’s Reopenings Affected the Most Vulnerable Students (Brookings)

• How the Pandemic is Imperiling a Working Class College (New York Times)

• Tennessee Congressman Proposes Plan for Online Sports Betting Money to Fund Schools (WJHL)