Norfolk State Chosen for $100,000
“Wal-Mart Minority Student Success Award”

Norfolk, Va.— Norfolk State University has been selected by the Institute for Higher Education Policy to receive a Wal-Mart Minority Student Success Award—a $100,000 grant to help build on NSU’s demonstrated successes in enrolling, retaining, and graduating first-generation college students. Norfolk State was one of only 15 minority-serving institutions (MSIs) selected through a highly competitive application process to strengthen efforts to support first-generation students.

“Norfolk State is honored to be selected as one of several outstanding higher education institutions nationwide to receive the Wal-Mart Minority Student Success Award,” said NSU Provost Y. T. Shah. “Thanks in large part to this award, we will be able to enhance and expand our work with first-generation students.”
NSU will use the award to develop the Learning to Learn (L2L) program, a faculty-led program, to help students develop self-directed learning skills that will allow them to adjust to college life; motivate them to take advantage of campus support services; and encourage them take responsibility for life-long learning. Objectives of the project include establishing a mentoring network, designing an interactive wiki-based L2L web site, and implementing teaching approaches that will stimulate self-directed learning.
“We are excited to be working with such a diverse group of minority-serving institutions focused on improving the success of this critical student group,” said IHEP President Michelle Asha Cooper. “Their planned initiatives demonstrate a long-term commitment to first generation student success that builds on their well-established mission to retain and graduate underserved student populations.”

“The Wal-Mart Foundation is committed to helping our nation’s young adults live better – supporting programs that provide access to higher education is a key part of our commitment,” said Margaret McKenna, president of the Wal-Mart Foundation. “We are confident that our partnership with the Institute for Higher Education Policy and minority-serving institutions will positively impact many first-generation college students and assure their academic success.”
Approximately 41 percent of students enrolled at MSIs are first-generation, compared to 30 percent of students at predominately white institutions. Because of their overrepresentation of first-generation students, MSIs are ideally situated to improve retention and persistence gaps for these students.
The Wal-Mart College Success Awards program is administered by the Institute for Higher Education Policy and made possible by a generous $4.2 million grant from the Wal-Mart Foundation. The 14 other winners include: Bennett College for Women (N.C.); California State University-Fresno; Claflin University (S.C.); Colorado State University-Pueblo; Florida International University; La Guardia Community College (N.Y.); Mount St. Mary’s College (Calif.); Navajo Technical College (N.M.); Northwest Indian College (Wash.); Salish Kootenai College (Mont.); Spelman College (Ga.); Tennessee State University; University of the District of Columbia; and University of the Incarnate Word (Texas).

IHEP will select a second cohort of Wal-Mart Minority Student Success institutions in spring 2010. For more information about the initiative and grantees, visit the IHEP website at http://www.ihep.org/walmartminoritystudents.cfm

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About The Institute for Higher Education Policy
The Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) is an independent, nonprofit organization that is dedicated to increasing access and success in postsecondary education around the world. Established in 1993, the Washington, D.C.-based organization uses unique research and innovative programs to inform key decision makers who shape public policy and support economic and social development

About Philanthropy at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) and the Wal-Mart Foundation are proud to support the charitable causes that are important to customers and associates in their own neighborhoods. Through its philanthropic programs and partnerships, the Wal-Mart Foundation funds initiatives focused on creating opportunities in education, workforce development, economic opportunity, environmental sustainability, and health and wellness. From February 1, 2008 through January 31, 2009, Wal-Mart – and its domestic and international Foundations – gave more than $423 million in cash and in-kind gifts globally. To learn more, visit www.walmartfoundation.org.