The U.S. Department of Education recently announced the
names of 83 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from 70 HBCUs
who have been tapped to serve as ambassadors to the White House by providing
outreach and communication with fellow students about the value of education.
FAMU graduate students Gilda Brown and Jennifer Smith were
selected as All-Stars from a pool of more than 450 applicants.
FAMU President Elmira Mangum recognized Brown and Smith
before the University community during her recent “State of the University”
address.
“Ms. Brown and Ms. Smith are shining examples of the caliber
of students that FAMU has been successful in producing over its rich 128-year
legacy,” Mangum said. “I look forward to working with this dynamic duo as they
spread the message of the value of not only HBCUs but also FAMU, which has played
a significant role in closing the higher education gap for African-American and
low-wealth student across the nation.”
As ambassadors, Brown and Smith will assist President Barack
Obama in achieving his goal of increasing the percentage of African Americans
who complete college. Also, the students will have the opportunity to engage
with other HBCU scholars to showcase their individual and collective talents
across the HBCU community.
They will also be responsible for promoting the initiative’s
programs on FAMU’s campus, social media, and at regional and national events.
Brown, a second-year pharmacology student in the FAMU
College of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences master’s degree program, said
she is eager to aid in the White House’s mission to promote higher education in
the African-American community.
“That’s the importance of HBCUs,” said Brown, a Tallahassee
native, referring to the need for higher-education opportunities for
African-Americans. “Before coming to FAMU, I went to a predominantly White
institution, and I loved my time there, but at FAMU I have experienced
professors that are encouraging me and who look like me. Something as simple as
that can make a huge impact.”
According to Smith, an Atlanta native, who is pursuing her
master’s degree in curriculum and instruction, being selected as an All-Star
gives her the opportunity to meet other HBCU scholars and potentially implement
joint initiatives that would benefit HBCU students and the African-American
community.
“I’m pro-HBCU,” Smith explained. “I love the mission and the
purpose of HBCUs. Overall, I want to be a part of something bigger than me, and
that is what HBCUs are all about. I wanted to do something that is great for
FAMU, and that will bring HBCUs together and help them pool resources and
thrive.”