In July 2023, two Shaw University students received recognition by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (Initiative) as 2023 HBCU Scholars. The two students are Tamara Wood, a senior majoring in Sociology; and Mariah Williams, a senior majoring in Biology. The 2023 HBCU scholars are the largest cohort since the inception of this recognition program in 2014 and represent a record number of institutions, with the HBCU participation rate now over 70 percent.
The purpose of the White House HBCU Scholar Recognition Program is to recognize outstanding student leaders and further empower them with tools for excellence. Informed by Presidential recommendation and endorsement by HBCU faculty, select students who receive the honor have a unique combination of academic achievements, campus leadership, civic engagement and entrepreneurial spirit that distinguish their candidacy.
Selected HBCU Scholar students will:
- Serve as student ambassadors for the Initiative and their HBCU, ensuring information, resources and opportunities are distribute through their campuses;
- Receive public recognition from the U.S. Department of Education and the Initiative via press release;
- Be invited to attend 2023 Annual National HBCU Week Conference workshops designed to help them learn and adopt promising practices in areas such as leadership, professional development, HBCU excellence and workforce development;
- Be invited to participate in monthly master classes hosted by the Initiative and various partners; and
- Network with other scholars, federal agencies and private partners to showcase their individual and collective talent across the HBCU community.
Shaw University, located in Raleigh, North Carolina, is the first historically Black institution of higher education founded in North Carolina and is among the oldest in the nation. The University was founded in 1865 by Henry Martin Tupper. Dr. Paulette Dillard currently serves as the University’s 18th President. For more information, visit: www.shawu.edu.
