White House HBCU Scholars Named
Two Norfolk State University students are among the 2024 HBCU Scholars named by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Erika Igarashi-Cummings, a Construction Management Engineering & Technology major, and Za’Chary Rashad Jackson, a Mass Communications/Journalism Scholar, are among the 110 outstanding students from 77 Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country chosen for their exceptional academic achievements, leadership potential and dedication to their communities. Selection of the 2024 cohort marks the 10th anniversary of the program.
“This year’s 110 outstanding students exemplify Black excellence – and fill us with hope for the promise of tomorrow. We couldn’t be prouder to support them on their journey,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.
Since its inception in 2014, the HBCU Scholars program has been committed to recognizing and supporting the brightest and service-oriented minds from HBCUs. Over the past decade, the program has empowered over 500 students, providing them with invaluable opportunities for personal and professional growth, mentorship, and networking.
Currently representing 23 states and 11 countries, this group of HBCU Scholars were selected from a competitive pool of over 350 applicants. The 2024 cohort includes students from a diverse array of disciplines, including science, technology, engineering, math, humanities, social sciences, and the arts.
These students exemplify the excellence and leadership that is characteristic of the HBCU community,” said Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities Dietra Trent. “I anticipate and look forward to our partnership over the next academic school year.”
Throughout the year, the HBCU Scholars will engage in a series of workshops, leadership development programs, and networking events designed to enhance their skills and expand their horizons. Additionally, they will have the opportunity to connect with industry leaders, policymakers, and alumni of the program, further enriching their educational experience. Aligned with the U.S. Department of Education’s mission to Raise the Bar, students in this program are encouraged to lift their communities, unite others around student success, work to strengthen our democracy and grow our economy.
A critical component of the HBCU Scholar Program is a partnership with NASA to foster innovation and opportunity for the cohorts. This partnership with NASA makes the Minority University Research and Education Project Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC). Through the Mini MITTIC program, HBCU Scholars will team with one another to develop ideas to commercialize technology derived from NASA intellectual property that can improve their campus and surrounding communities.
HBCU Scholars will also be invited to the 2024 HBCU Week National Annual Conference, held on September 15-19, 2024, in Philadelphia, PA. This year’s conference theme is “Raising the Bar: Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet.” During the conference, HBCU Scholars will participate in conference sessions designed to engage a spirit of innovation, leadership, and personal and professional development. Most importantly, HBCU Scholars will have opportunities to engage with one another, initiative staff, and partners to further showcase their individual and collective talent.
Following the conference HBCU Scholars will be invited to participate in programs, events and monthly master classes designed to enhance their professional development and create greater access to post-graduation opportunities within non-profit, business, and federal agency partners to help ensure that as a nation we remain globally competitive.