Press Release

September 18, 2012
Cardin, Mikulski Announce $12.2 Million In Federal Funds For Maryland’s Historically Black Colleges And Universities
Grant Awards to Help Strengthen Academic Resources, Management Capabilities and Infrastructure at Four Maryland Institutions

WASHINGTON U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has awarded more than $12.2 million in federal funds to Maryland’s four Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The funds in the federal checkbook to Coppin State University, Morgan State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Bowie State University will help strengthen academic resources, management capabilities, and infrastructure and are anticipated to be awarded each year for the next five years.

“Our state’s higher education system is one of the best in the nation and Historically Black Colleges and Universities are a strong part of that success,” said Senator Ben Cardin. “Maryland’s HBCUs have a strong record of academic achievement and this grant from the U.S. Department of Education is important because it will provide significant new resources to further enhance academic programming and ensure student success.”

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities play a critical role in making sure all our children have a chance to succeed,” said Senator Mikulski, a member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee which funds DOE. “Every child, regardless of race or family income, deserves a chance to go to college. These funds in the federal checkbook will help Maryland’s four historically Black Universities continue to provide quality education and prepare students for jobs today and jobs tomorrow. I will continue to fight for federal investments in Maryland’s HBCUs and to increase opportunities for our students.”

The federal grants include:

  • $3,890,115 for Morgan State University to enhance learning through tutoring & counseling programs, build an endowment, provide job-training in underrepresented disciplines, faculty development and community outreach.
  • $3,001,959 for Bowie State University to help close the achievement gap for first-generation college students, increase enrollment, and begin implementation of a strategic plan to enhance educational offerings.
  • $2,774,743 for Coppin State University to strengthen retention and graduation rates, improve academic programming, and increase minority participation in fields of science, technology, nursing, information technology, and geography.
  • $2,535,354 for University of Maryland Eastern Shore to work towards becoming a leader in Doctoral Research by building upon access to high quality values-based education, recruitment and retention, engagement in R&D, and closing the achievement gap.

There are 105 HBCUs nationwide, including the four in Maryland. HBCUs provide the quality education necessary in today’s highly technological society, offer opportunities for many underprivileged students to reach their potential, and deserve national recognition for their various achievements and goals. 

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