In 1968 the National Alliance of Business conceived a plan of national
scope for providing ongoing support to Historically Black Colleges and
Universities. As designed, the Cluster Program would ensure that HBCUs can
gain access to the financial, technical, and professional resources of the
business communities, at the local, regional, and national levels.
While the primary intent was to assist minority institutions in preparing
graduates who are ready to assume professional positions in the private and
public sectors, many other benefits have accrued over the past three
decades.
Full partnerships with corporations have enabled universities to shape
curricula to meet current workplace needs and future demands; similarly,
these partnerships have enabled industries to identify and utilize
universities’ research capabilities to advance product development and
global marketing. Lofty goals have been set and met by these strategic
partnerships.
Norfolk State University began its Cluster Program in 1975 and it has
continued uninterrupted to this day. Its annual achievements are supporting
the NSU Annual Career Fair, with a usual participation of nearly 100
businesses and government agencies and close to 5,000 students, and awarding
Cluster scholarships to four undergraduate students.
All NSU Schools participate in Cluster initiatives. Management and
facilitation reside in the Office of University Advancement whose Corporate
and Foundation Relations office functions as liaison with the Office of the
President and the Career Services Office.
NSU Cluster has two general meetings each year, one in early fall and one in
the spring. Task forces addressing specific areas of university-industry
partnerships may meet at other times throughout the year, and the
President’s Executive Cluster Council meets once a year.
