Two University of Maryland Eastern Shore students will represent the University through the White House’s Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Brittney Henry, a pharmacy major, and Khamara Logan, a junior Human Ecology major with a concentration in fashion merchandising, were among a field of 102 students from 70 HBCUs selected nationally for the White House HBCU Scholar honor, announced jointly by the White House and the United States Department of Education on July 20.
“Having our students be recognized and have the opportunity to participate in this prestigious program through the White House is a testament to what HBCUs can accomplish,” UMES president Heidi M. Anderson said. “I know that they will utilize this experience to show that we Hawks can truly soar to great heights.”
As participants, Henry and Logan will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on HBCUs and will receive training and cross-university networking opportunities. Henry and Logan will also have an opportunity to work on issues specifically related to the HBCU community and participate in national and regional events with professionals from a wide range of disciplines.
A critical component of the HBCU Scholar Program is a partnership with NASA to foster innovation and opportunity. This partnership with NASA makes the Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC), “Mini MITTIC” part of the HBCU Scholar Program.
The HBCU Scholars will have the opportunity to present their intellectual property (IP) ideas in person at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland on Sept. 25 during the National HBCU Week Conference.
The two students are also invited to the 2023 National HBCU Week Conference, which takes place Sept. 24-28 in Arlington, Virginia. The conference will conclude with an HBCU career and recruitment fair providing professional development sessions, direct hiring, and recruitment opportunities.
To be selected for the White House HBCU Scholar Recognition Program, HBCU students who apply are vetted through both their home institution and through the U.S. Department of Education.
As a condition of acceptance, all participants are required to be active in all HBCU Scholar events and activities throughout the designated academic school year.
UMES students selected to participate in the initiative in previous years included Sydney Carr, a spring 2023 graduate, and Nyah Christen, a computer science major.
“Our 2023 HBCU Scholars are talented students who embody the culture of excellence and inclusion championed by our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities,” said Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education. “I’m thrilled to see the HBCU Scholars program continue to expand its reach and provide such exciting professional development, networking, and educational opportunities to some of our nation’s brightest and most promising young leaders.”
This release contains information from the United States Department of Education.
