U.S. Senator Kay Hagan Introduces Bill to Strengthen Historically Black Colleges & Universities

(R) Senator Kay R. Hagan (D- N.C.) and (L) Dr. D. Jason DeSousa, Fayetteville State
University's Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Retention

Hagan Chaired Senate Education Committee Hearing on Minority Serving Institutions

WASHINGTON, D.C.  (May 13, 2014) --  Today, Senator Kay Hagan chaired a full committee hearing of the Senate Education Committee on the subject of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). At the hearing, Hagan announced she will be introducing a bill to strengthen HBCUs by establishing an HBCU Innovation Fund, a competitive grant program to help develop innovative initiatives to address specific needs of the students being served at those institutions. North Carolina is home to ten HBCUs across the state, and Hagan has long been a supporter of strong investments in these colleges and universities. Among the witnesses testifying was Dr. D. Jason DeSousa, Assistant Vice Chancellor of Student Retention from Fayetteville State University in Fayetteville, NC.

"Our HBCUs provide North Carolina students a quality education, and we must continue supporting these institutions in their drive toward innovation," said Senator Hagan. "My bill will allow them to further enhance their students' learning experience and better prepare them for future success in the workforce. Our success as a state and a nation depends on making sure all students reach their full potential, and that is why I'm committed to ensuring our HBCUs have the resources necessary to truly educate each and every student."

Hagan's bill would authorize a competitive grant program for HBCUs with two options:

•  Planning grant - a one-year grant to plan, design, and develop innovations that would address the issues affecting a schools' student population.
•  Implementation grant - a five-year grant, conditional after three years on satisfactory progress to achieve specific outcomes articulated in the application. 

The legislation would also require grant recipients to secure a 15% match from an external source to carry out their innovation as well as conduct an independent evaluation and closely track their success against the measures set out in their application.

Priority for grants would be given to programs that increase the number of African American males who attain postsecondary degrees; build partnerships between HBCUs and local high schools to increase the enrollment and successful completion of historically underrepresented populations in higher education; and strengthen partnerships to combine the resources of HBCUs and partner institutions to support entrepreneurship and research on campuses of HBCUs.

For more information on the bill, please click HERE.

Hagan's bill has broad support from North Carolina's HBCUs.

"Fayetteville State University is working hard to ensure federal investments are yielding high returns and doing our part to leverage resources by partnering with majority institutions and others to provide greater academic support services to our students and to returning veterans," said Dr. DeSousa, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Student Retention at Fayetteville State University, who testified at today's HELP Committee hearing. "I thank Senator Hagan for her continued commitment to strengthening HBCUs across North Carolina and ensuring the students they serve are prepared for success in the future through innovative programs and high quality learning experiences."

"The proposed HBCU Innovation Fund is a timely initiative to expand opportunities for our students," said Harold L. Martin Sr., chancellor at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University in Greensboro. "This strategic investment will make a significant impact by providing funding through competitive grants to increase student enrollment in the STEM fields and expand entrepreneurship initiatives that support the university's interests in creating businesses and commercializing innovations developed through campus research programs."

"These are critical times for Historically Black Colleges and Universities as we seek creative funding opportunities to enhance our academic initiatives and address our most pressing needs," said Dr. Gaddis J. Faulcon, Acting President at Shaw University in Raleigh. "The HBCU Innovation Fund legislation sponsored by Senator Hagan specifically addresses the financial challenges that have impeded our students from enrolling or completing their degree. Additionally, it provides necessary funding to ensure that our students continue to achieve in the STEM disciplines that will prepare them to compete globally now and in the future. We applaud Senator Hagan for taking this monumental step in helping HBCUs continue their historic mission of educating tomorrow's leaders."

"I applaud Senator Hagan for introducing the HBCU Innovation Fund Legislation," said Dr. Ronald Carter, President of Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte. "It is very timely and important for HBCUs that are facing challenges in sustaining quality new programs that have been created to advance the recruitment, retention, and graduation of its students. With HBCUs currently being threatened by fewer federal dollars to support them in general - and in student initiatives specifically - this legislation is a bright spot."

During her time in the Senate, Hagan has been a strong supporter of North Carolina's HBCUs. Last year, Hagan hosted a summit with chancellors and presidents from North Carolina's HBCUs to discuss ways to strengthen the schools. Hagan sought input on important education and workforce development issues facing Congress and welcomed the chance to listen to North Carolina HBCUs' chancellors and presidents.

Hagan has supported key investments in HBCUs and Minority-Serving Institutions to renew, reform and expand programming to ensure that students have the support they need to stay in school and graduate. Hagan supported a bipartisan solution in July to keep federal student loan interest rates affordable.

While HBCUs represent just 3 percent of the nation's colleges and universities, they enroll 9 percent of the country's African American undergraduates, produce 17 percent of all African American bachelor degree recipients and generate 22 percent of all bachelor's degrees in STEM fields earned by African Americans.