Almia Valentine was scrolling through Instagram in late March when she saw a post showing a university queen and classmate at the White House.

“I wonder how they got there,” Valentine pondered.

She read the photo caption closely. It listed them as HBCU White House Scholars. After a web search, Valentine learned that the prestigious program was open to students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities across the country.

“I started to look at the previous cohort, and it was people from Rust College, Alcorn and Coahoma Community College, which is like an HBCU community college,” Valentine said. “So I was like, ‘OK, they’re very inclusive.’ I realized that the application hadn’t closed yet. Once I saw that I was like, ‘OK, yeah, I need to apply.’”

The Tougaloo College junior began working on the application and introduced the opportunity to her classmate Aeries Hoskins.

“I thought he would be great for it,” Valentine said. “He has a very strong resume and very strong communication skills. He’s just a well-rounded person, and I knew they would pick him. I just knew.”

The federal program selected both Valentine and Hoskins, a native of Charlotte, N.C., as scholars representing Tougaloo College in Jackson, Miss.

The Historically Black Colleges and Universities White House Scholar Initiative is part of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The 2024 cohort includes students from 77 HBCUs selected for the program based on their academic achievements, leadership qualities, and community and civic engagement. The group represents 23 states and 11 countries with students majoring in disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, math and the arts. This year marks the program’s 10th anniversary.

“For 10 years, the HBCU Scholars program has celebrated the exceptional academic talent and achievements of students at our Historically Black Colleges and Universities—a recognition that reflects the Biden-Harris Administration’s determination to fight for our nation’s HBCUs and their immense contributions to excellence and diversity in higher education,” U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press release. “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.”

In total, three students from Mississippi colleges were notified this summer of acceptance in this year’s cohort, including Rust College student Sa’kinah Williams, a native of Champaign, Ill.

“… These students exemplify the excellence and leadership that is characteristic of the HBCU community,” Executive Director of White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges, and Universities Dietra Trent said. “I anticipate and look forward to our partnership over the next academic school year.”

Tougaloo College is a private Historically Black College and University in Jackon, Miss. Tougaloo students Almia Valentine and Aeries Hoskins were named 2024 HBCU Scholars by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Photo by Torsheta Jackson

The scholars serve as representatives of their colleges, where they disseminate information and promote resources on their campuses. They participate in monthly classes with professionals from various disciplines, regional events and virtual convenings. HBCU Scholars also participate in leadership-development opportunities and networking events and meet with senior officials from the White House and the U.S. Department of Education to discuss ways to improve and to further the initiative.

“I believe that having Tougaloo students involved in this program is reinvigorating the flame that Tougaloo already had but I feel like has been forgotten about,” Hoskins said. “Tougaloo has always produced amazing scholars. It’s one of the top HBCUs in the country.”

The program also collaborates with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration for the Minority University Research and Education Project Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition. The competition will group students together to develop ideas for the commercialization of NASA developments that can improve college campuses.

“We will be participating in a hackathon. There will potentially be an option to have an internship with NASA over the summer, and there are cash prizes,” Hoskins, a computer science major, said. “And it’s honestly about networking and making connections.”

The HBCU Scholars will meet in Philadelphia, Pa., from Sept. 15 through Sept. 19 for the 2024 HBCU Week National Annual Conference. During the conference, students will meet the rest of the cohort and staff while engaging in personal and professional development opportunities.

“It’s very exciting to be a part of this cohort… (and) being able to be placed with like-minded students that have worked just as hard as you,” Hoskins said. “You know, when you’re around excellence, you’re going to produce excellent work. So I want to work hard or keep working hard because I’m part of this. I’m now an HBCU White House Scholar.”

Read original article by clicking here.

‘Exemplify(ing) Black Excellence’: Three Mississippi Students Named HBCU White House Scholars

Local Dining Stream

Things To Do

Related articles

Let’s Eat, Mississippi: It’s king cake season

The danger of a little procrastination

Church attendance steadily declining, congregations should focus outward