Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Program

Abstracts of Activities

Information Technology – Digital Transformation

Activity Director: Maurice Tyler

Providing pervasive, seamless, and intuitive access to technology enables faculty, staff, and students to be more productive and have ready access to the information and resources required to ensure success.

Holistic Student Enrichment

Activity Director: Keshia Ridley

The Holistic Student Enrichment Initiative is designed to provide vital staffing and supportive services to the processes and operations related to undergraduate admissions, retention, financial literacy, new student engagement, and residence life. With the expansion of an integrated approach, students, faculty, and staff will benefit from data-driven metrics designed to assess the effectiveness of existing processes and the use of innovative methods related to student outreach and engagement. Offices and departments essential to student success will work across the Division to create an interwoven network of student-driven strategies, services, and resources. With the expansion of the financial literacy program, the Holistic Student Enrichment Initiative will provide students, faculty, and staff with resources related to financial wellness. These essential tools include but are not limited to savings, loan indebtedness, the development of a plan for future financial success, and other money management concepts. Through these expanded efforts, students will gain the knowledge base needed to ensure student retention, the successful completion of an undergraduate program, and a solid understanding of financial literacy concepts.

Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE)

Activity Director: Dr. George Ude

The Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CURE) Program is an innovative approach to incorporating research within a class so that everyone participates in exploring a question of interest to the scientific community. The purpose of this Activity is to galvanize research immersion at all levels of an undergraduate’s career and to promote research and experiential learning. This initiative aims to feature course-based immersive undergraduate research experiences in unique research streams across introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses within the departmental curriculum. Students can participate in a research learning community and collaborative projects and gain critical hands-on skills to prepare them for the future workforce.

Advancing Library Resources and Student Services

Activity Director: Sophia Sotilleo

Bowie State University shall create a familiar learning environment to position the Thurgood Marshall Library as a 21st-century learning hub. Create online resources to provide greater access to digital library resources to accommodate global, national, and local students. Library resources support productivity and provide access to learning resources.

Strengthening Research and Innovation

Activity Director:Dr. Anika Bissahoyo

Bowie State University aspires to become a Research II institution according to the Carnegie Classification system with high research activity involving our faculty and students. To strengthen the University’s capacity for research, including supporting faculty with a focus on new and junior faculty in training and growing their research activities. This Activity also provides training in grants and contract management, strengthens research compliance areas, and provides funds management and other research services.

Student Success Center

Activity Director: Ebone Johnson

The mission of tutorial programs is to serve as a centralized location and a discipline-based peer mentor resource for learning assistance. We provide a holistic support structure that allows students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their degree program. The aim is to support a comprehensive approach to closing the gap between Bowie State University students’ retention and graduation rates and other students nationwide. This Activity provides services to students primarily majoring in computer science, computer technology, mathematics, biology, and nursing while taking courses in other STEM. Additional support is provided in areas that impact and complement the STEM areas, including English, since reading and critical thinking skills are essential for effective communication in all academic areas and career fields.

Institutional Academic Assessment

Activity Director: Dr. Becky Verzinski

Expand institutional assessment structure to grow assessment of student learning outcomes and continue implementation of curricular improvements resulting from assessment findings. Strengthen assessment and accreditation oversight and accountability via centers for academic assessment and the Council for Accredited Programs. Grow faculty expertise in assessment via faculty assessment fellows, analysis of assessment practices and related professional development, and opportunities for presentation and publication of academic assessment research and findings.

Increased Student Engagement and Support of Academic Success - College of Business

Activity Director: Dr. Lawrence McNeil

This initiative increases student engagement and supports student success during the traditional college tenure and beyond through the following: (1) alignment of academic programs with accreditation standards and maturing of an assessment and accreditation process, (2) systematically identifying and addressing retention impacting deficiencies in student college-readiness skills, (3) developing relationships with external corporate, educational, and government partners to support internships, global experiences, and other high-impact activities, (4) preparing students for tomorrow’s workforce by equipping them with in-demand workplace competencies and traits that complement the discipline-specific theoretical foundations provided by the curriculum, and (5) creating strong, mutually beneficial relationships with college alumni.

Academic Assessment – College of Arts and Sciences

Activity Director: Dr. George Accquah

Assessment for continuous improvement guides practice at the course level, program level, department/college level, and indirect university effect on student retention, degree competition, and graduation. Results from the annual assessment of student outcomes (SOs) maintaining program accreditations (e.g., policy and procedure, websites, program curriculum, course mapping, etc.) are critical components used to provide specialized recommendations, changes, and feedback that will enhance and strengthen university academic programs, curriculum, pedagogy, instructional delivery, student advising, and student retention “Early Alert” systems.

Academic Assessment – College of Professional Studies

Activity Director: Dr. Cheryl Blackman

Academic Assessment for the College of Professional Studies measures effectiveness supports learning, provides accountability, and continuously improves the teaching-learning process. Data from assessment measurements recommend changes in student learning outcomes, curriculum design, accredited program support, and pedagogy. These results ultimately guide practice at all levels of the University and directly impact student learning outcomes, retention, and graduation.

Administration and Finance

Activity Director: Cynthia Leland

The purpose of the Title III Program Administration Office is to serve as a resource to Bowie State University and as a liaison to the United States Department of Education. The Title III Administration Office’s mission is to assist the Institution President in securing Title III grant funds that support the strategic plan and strengthen a variety of targeted initiatives. This mission is accomplished by providing the required oversight and direction in compliance with the federal guidelines to deliver a positive impact through developing and implementing strategic program activities.

Faculty Development and Expansion

The faculty development program fosters the pursuit of teaching and scholarly excellence. At Bowie State University, faculty development enhances the vitality and growth of the students, the faculty, and the University. It is a central expression of the University’s commitment to the faculty to help them maintain the highest standards of teaching and scholarship.

Program Administration

Activity Director: Mililani Sinclair