Sign up for the Complimentary The Wall Street Journal
Hampton University and The Wall Street Journal have partnered to provide school-sponsored WSJ memberships to all students, faculty and staff. Through the partnership, members will have full digital access to the WSJ’s award-winning journalism via WSJ.com and the app, as well as a wide variety of curated content, from podcasts and newsletters to career insights and personal finance advice.
In addition, students, faculty and staff members will receive exclusive benefits with WSJ+, a complimentary program that gives members access to virtual events and offers, such as invites to talks and a free ebook each month.
How to activate your complimentary Wall Street Journal membership:
Students, faculty and staff at Hampton University can activate their complimentary memberships by visiting WSJ.com/HamptonU. Those who currently pay for an existing WSJ membership may call 1-800-JOURNAL and mention they are switching to their school-sponsored membership. Partial refunds will be made.
Why The Wall Street Journal is right for Hampton University students:
The Wall Street Journal offers students unrivaled coverage of business, finance, politics and world news, including focused insight into career development, technology, health, arts and culture.
About The Wall Street Journal
The Wall Street Journal is a global news organization that provides leading news, information, commentary and analysis. Published by Dow Jones, The Wall Street Journal engages readers across print, digital, mobile, social and video. It holds 38 Pulitzer Prizes for outstanding journalism.
Hampton, VA (January 11, 2023) – The Hampton University Office of Student Activities, in conjunction with the Hampton Chapter of the NAACP and the National Pan-Hellenic Council will host the annual Dr. Martin Luther King. Jr. March and program, Monday, January 16 on the grounds of HU.
The march begins at 10:15 a.m. at the Emancipation Oak. Rev. Dr. Jerome A. Barber, of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Temple in Hampton, Virginia will offer prayer. The march will proceed up William R. Harvey Way and end at Robert C. Ogden Hall on campus. A light reception hosted by the Gamma Iota Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. will immediately follow the program at the Student Center, Student Lounge.
Rev. Michael Eley, Jr., Youth & Young Adult Pastor at Friendship Chapel Baptist Church in Wake Forest, North Carolina, will be the keynote speaker at the 11 a.m. program. Reverend Eley is a Spring 2018 honors graduate of Hampton University, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Marketing. In the spring of 2021, he graduated from Wake Forest University School of Divinity, earning the Master of Divinity and a certificate in Faith-Based Nonprofit Leadership. Reverend Eley was ordained into the Gospel ministry in June of 2022 and is a career technical educator in the Wake County Public School System.
The march and program is free and open to the public. “We’re asking all students and community to come out,” said Anzell Harrell, Director of Student Activities. For more information, contact the Hampton University Office of Student Activities at (757) 727-5691.
First-ever program will provide seeded investment accounts for every student in the freshman class to promote financial education and empower students to build wealth throughout their college career
Hampton, VA and Boston, MA – Hampton University and Stackwell, the digital investment platform designed to eliminate the racial wealth gap, today announced the launch of a new student investment program that will provide funded investment accounts and financial investment education to every member of the university’s freshman class. Hampton is donating a total of $25,000 to seed Stackwell investment accounts for each student in the Class of 2026, which will be coupled with a financial literacy program from the Society for Financial Education and Professional Development (SFEPD). SFEPD’s program will allow every student, faculty member, staff member, and parent access to an online financial literacy course valued at $3,000 – free of charge. The goal of the program is to empower students and their families’ financial futures and encourage wealth building throughout their lives.
Hampton and Stackwell hope to grow the size of the program in the future, and will provide the same program and seeded investment accounts for successive incoming classes of students, continuing with the class of 2027 and beyond. The addition of corporate partners and benefactors will be vital in expanding the program in the coming years.
“This new program is a key component to delivering the #1 student experience in America,” said University President Darrell K. Williams. “Hampton University is committed to investing in the advancement of our students as future leaders and building generational wealth on a national scale. We are proud to partner with Stackwell to bring such a unique and important program to our campus.”
This is the first program in the country to provide financial education and funded investment accounts for an entire class of students. Eligible students will sign up for their own Stackwell investment account, which will be seeded with funds from the university’s donation. Each student will also participate in a financial literacy program as part of their core curriculum, receiving a certificate upon its completion. Stackwell will engage with students throughout their time on campus to encourage the development of long-term saving and investing behaviors, highlighting the importance and impact of a lifetime commitment to investing and wealth building. The university’s goal is to graduate students who will have the benefit of a world class education, a fundamental understanding of finance and investing, and an investment portfolio that they can take with them and continue to build throughout their lives.
The Hampton-Stackwell program takes a holistic approach to financial literacy and wellness, differentiating it from other financial education programs at colleges and universities. The partners believe it is crucial to establish good financial habits at a young age to prepare students for long-term financial stability. By normalizing wealth building and participation in the markets, the students will be empowered to stay engaged in the market, establishing generational wealth building not only for the students, but their families and communities as well.
“We are honored to launch this new program with Hampton University and support the entire Class of 2026 as they embark on the critical first steps of their long-term financial journey,” said Trevor Rozier-Byrd, Founder and CEO of Stackwell. “We share a vision and mission of investing in our community, and together, we have created a program that will have an outsize impact across the Black community. This program can set a new standard for financial wellness and wealth creation, and we look forward to extending its reach to benefit thousands of students for years to come.”
According to the National Bureau of Economic Research, the racial wealth gap is the largest of the economic disparities between Black and white Americans. Federal Reserve data show the racial wealth gap for the Black community grows larger with each passing generation: white households hold on average eight times more wealth than Black households, with that figure growing to 17-times for the Millennial population and Gen Z. This new program focuses on the youngest generation of Hampton students who are disproportionately affected by the wealth gap and have the greatest opportunity to eliminate it by starting wealth building at an early age.
Hampton students will be able to sign up for their investment accounts starting on December 19, 2022.
About Hampton University
Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education. For more than 150 years, it has been dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. It emphasizes a scientific and professional curriculum with a strong liberal arts undergirding. In carrying out its mission, the University requires that everything that it does be of the highest quality. A historically black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism. The University serves students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to our society in a productive and useful manner. Visit www.hamptonu.edu
About Stackwell
Stackwell Capital, Inc., is a fintech company that has created a digital investment platform for the Black community that is designed to eliminate the racial wealth gap in America. Stackwell provides the financial investment tools and guidance necessary to help build lasting wealth, equity, and equal opportunity. Stackwell is a member of the 2022 Financial Solutions Lab, and MassChallenge U.S. Early Stage accelerator programs. For more information, visit stackwellcapital.com.
Prudential Partnership to Provide Guest Lecture Series, Bloomberg Terminals and Fellowship Program to Enhance Student Engagement and Learning
HAMPTON, Va. (Dec. 9, 2022) – Today, Hampton University James T. George School of Business announced its continued partnership with Prudential Financial and PGIM, Prudential’s global asset management business, through renaming the school’s main lecture hall, previously known as Buckman Room 101, in honor of the late former Dean Dr. Sid Howard Credle. Hampton commemorated the dedication with a ceremony at the newly renamed Dr. Sid H. Credle Hall. These activities are part of Prudential and PGIM’s significant commitment to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The partnership with Prudential, which began in 2010 with a $1 million pledge, paves the way for continued and deepened collaboration in the future.
“On behalf of the Hampton University community, I would like to thank Prudential for their unwavering support of our students,” said Darrell K. Williams, Hampton University President. “I am proud to see Hampton and Prudential continuing to collaborate and explore new, bold, comprehensive approaches to enabling our students to become the next generation of outstanding business professionals. I believe that Hampton’s commitment to preparing our nation’s future leaders combined with Prudential’s commitment to investing in our students will cultivate and mobilize the business leaders and community partners of the future.
Hampton University’s partnership with Prudential and PGIM will enhance the ability of both institutions to impact more than 500 students in the School of Business through networking and job opportunities, as well as provide access to real-world experiences, skill-building, and other educational resources. Prudential’s support will also include a guest lecture series featuring senior Prudential leadership and a customized fellowship program, consisting of a $10,000 college scholarship, a mentor from Prudential, and access to workshops and private events. In addition to having previously funded Bloomberg terminal licenses for students, PGIM’s partnership will leverage its investment management expertise to engage directly with students and professors to bolster their investments and finance coursework. It will support student programs to increase access and exposure to the investment management industry through the PGIM HBCU Strategic Initiatives program.
“Prudential Financial is a long-time supporter of HBCUs, and Hampton is one of our strongest partners,” said Shané Harris, president of The Prudential Foundation. “This announcement furthers support of education and career pathways of Black students to achieve financial prosperity and close the racial wealth gap.”
HBCUs have played a pivotal role in advancing the economic mobility of Black Americans for more than 150 years. Prudential and PGIM’s partnership with Hampton University builds the capacity of HBCUs to support not only its students but the broader community by reducing financial burdens on students and helping to remove structural barriers to Black economic empowerment. While HBCUs represent only three percent of colleges and universities in the U.S., they confer 20 percent of all bachelor’s degrees awarded to Black students. Correspondingly, 53 percent of HBCU students move into higher income brackets – while only 35 percent of peers at White institutions experience the same. HBCUs also disproportionately serve low-income students, and over 52 percent of HBCU students are first-generation college students.
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About Hampton University
Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education. For more than 150 years, it has been dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. It emphasizes a scientific and professional curriculum with a strong liberal arts undergirding. In carrying out its mission, the University requires that everything that it does be of the highest quality. A historically black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism. The University serves students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to our society in a productive and useful manner. Visit www.hamptonu.edu.
About Prudential Financial
Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a global financial services leader and premier active global investment manager with more than $1.3 trillion in assets under management as of September 30, 2022, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential’s diverse and talented employees help make lives better by creating financial opportunity for more people by expanding access to investing, insurance, and retirement security. Prudential’s iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise, and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit news.prudential.com.
About PGIM
PGIM is the global asset management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a leading global investment manager with more than $1.4 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2022. With offices in 17 countries, PGIM’s businesses offer a range of investment solutions for retail and institutional investors around the world across a broad range of asset classes, including public fixed income, private fixed income, fundamental equity, quantitative equity, real estate and alternatives. For more information about PGIM, visit pgim.com.
~Commemorative Career Fair & Anniversary Event Held at the Landing~
HAMPTON, VA (Jan. 4, 2023) — Founded in September 2002, this calendar year represents the 20th Anniversary in the establishment of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications at Hampton University. To recognize this important milestone, a program will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023 at the Landing Hotel in Hampton, VA. In addition, a commemorative career fair will be held featuring the top news and public relations firms in the nation for direct student engagement.
Julia Wilson, Dean of the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, said, “Our school was founded to bring diversity into the newsrooms, along with training of good, responsible and objective journalists. One of the industry’s most glaring weaknesses when the school was founded was that there were few people of color in high profile, leadership positions. We are proud of the fact that the Scripps school has contributed greatly to changing that paradigm over these past 20 years with providing stellar talent to the agencies and newsrooms around the world.”
The Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications is a 36,000-square-foot building and includes classrooms, broadcast journalism facilities, a television studio with state-of-the-art digital editing equipment, a radio station, a multi-media lecture hall and auditorium, and four computer labs for reporting, writing and editing for print, broadcast and online journalism and communications.
Assistant Dean Carol Crabbe said, “Our students are the true reason for the success of our school. With lecturers from across the country, they are exposed to among the most prolific journalists and media figures. As a stellar HBCU, we get inquiries from all over regarding enrollment. Our young people get the experience and the exposure they need to be successful. And our faculty members are second to none as they do their best to provide top tier educational experiences for our students.” Members of the Scripps team are:
Finally, Scripps boasts partnerships with a number of organizations to include NBCUniversal News Group, RF Binder, Sloan PR, NBCUniversal/Comcast, Maier Foundation, Scripps Foundation, Warner Media, the Center for Strategic & International Studies, Daily Press, 21st Century, Oculus, Canon and MTV Entertainment Group, and many other organizations.
For more information on the Career Fair and the 20th Anniversary celebration, contact the Office of University Relations at 757.727.5253.
About Hampton University Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education, dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. Its curriculum emphasis is scientific and professional with a strong liberal arts under girding. In carrying out its mission, the University requires that everything that it does be of the highest quality. A historically black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism. The University serves students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to our society in a productive and useful manner. Visit www.hamptonu.edu for more information.
HAMPTON, VA (Jan. 4, 2023) — The Sentara Foundation provided a gift to underwrite numerous programs at Hampton. Among the uses of funding was for underwriting scholarships for targeted health-related majors.
Among the areas funded were scholarships for targeted health professions. They include a Sentara Healthcare and Nursing Current Use Scholarship fund, which annually provides $10,000 for academic support to ten students for five years. The disciplines include the four-year nursing degree programs in Health Sciences and Community Health Promotion, RN to BSN degree programs in Health Sciences, as well as Pharmaceutical Sciences, Health Information Management, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and other health professions.
Students eligible for the scholarship must have been of sophomore, junior, or senior classification and majoring in academic programs in the School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, School of Science, and/or the Department of Sports Science and Wellness. Each student must also have had a financial need.
The University’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has awarded funding to the following students majoring in the identified programs:
KINESIOLOGY
Canann Holmes Kianah Blakely-White
PHARMACY
Cimone Richardson Samantha Whyte
NURSING
Myka Savage Mckenzee Cummings Kennedy Akujobi Skye Brown Saroya Walton Andre Williams
Dr. Arlene Montgomery, Dean of the School of Nursing, said, “Sentara is a major community health provider in Virginia and North Carolina. Hampton University is blessed to have such a devoted and supportive partner in our efforts to increase minority representation in a host of healthcare fields in the Hampton Roads region and beyond. On behalf of the students selected, we are so very thankful.”
For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at 757.727.5253.
About Hampton University Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education, dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. Its curriculum emphasis is scientific and professional with a strong liberal arts undergirding. In carrying out its mission, the University requires that everything that it does be of the highest quality. A historically black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism. The University serves students from diverse national, cultural, and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute to our society in a productive and useful manner. Visit www.hamptonu.edu for more information.
HAMPTON, VA (Jan. 4, 2022) — Hampton University students participated in a three-day Startup Entrepreneurship Boot Camp from Friday, October 28 to Sunday, October 30, 2022. The program introduced entrepreneurship methods to aspiring entrepreneurs from diverse backgrounds. Students learned how to recognize and act on opportunities in the market by designing a business model, developing a prototype, working with expert mentors, and pitching ideas. This boot camp was sponsored by Ferguson, a member of the School of Engineering and Technology Engineering Advisory Board. Black Ambition, an organization founded by Pharrell Williams, provided a $10,000 cash prize, which was divided among camp participants. Norfolk State University students also participated in the boot camp.
Dr. Joyce Shirazi, Dean of the School of Engineering and Technology, said, “We are very proud of our students. They always come ready to learn and they love it when there is an element of competition involved. They learned how to pitch and promote their innovative projects.”
Student teams were formed on the first day of the camp, and facilitators led the groups through early concepts. During the second day of the camp, student groups focused on business model formation and testing of their business hypotheses. Mentors from Ferguson provided expert feedback and support. On the final day of the camp, participants engaged in intensive pitch workshops and delivered their pitches through presentations. Each presentation was made before a panel of entrepreneurship and business experts. Facilitators from Build in Tulsa, a program that seeks to close the racial wealth gap in America, and Novus supported the boot camp.
Dr. Jerald Dumas, dean of Hampton University’s Graduate College, associate professor of chemical engineering, and Hampton’s organizer for the boot camp said, “This experience was especially impactful for our engineering students as we strive for them to consider ‘human-centric’ elements in their designs.”
Hampton University students won the following portions of the $10,000 cash prize:
$2400 Team Umni$1900 Team Hydrosource
Brian Eric Montgomery Jr Briana Webster
Helen Nkechinyere Kalu Andres Syphrett
Joshua White Anthony Akins
Quinton Maddox
$1650 Team V-Tints$500 Team xMELA
Khalid Hampton Maasai Thornton
Jihaad Barnett Jasmyn Gyapong
Trevor Blow Chi’conna Gober
Anton Goldsmith
For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at 757.727.5253.
About Hampton University Hampton University is a comprehensive institution of higher education, dedicated to the promotion of learning, building of character and preparation of promising students for positions of leadership and service. Its curriculum emphasis is scientific and professional with a strong liberal arts under girding. In carrying out its mission, the University requires that everything that it does be of the highest quality. A historically black institution, Hampton University is committed to multiculturalism. The University serves students from diverse national, cultural and economic backgrounds. Research and public service are integral parts of Hampton’s mission. In order to enhance scholarship and discovery, the faculty is engaged in writing, research, and grantsmanship. In achieving its mission, Hampton University offers exemplary programs and opportunities which enable students, faculty and staff to grow, develop and contribute.
Hampton, Va. (Nov. 29, 2022) — In an article published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, recent Hampton University graduate Dr. Debajyoti Basu Sarkar and Professor, Dr. William B. Moore from the Department of Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences report that rocky planets with a hot surface likely do not have plate tectonics like the Earth. Most of Earth’s surface features and many processes such as earthquakes and volcanism are understood to be the result of the slow motions of vast regions (the plates) over billions of years. But for some still unknown reason, Earth is the only planet that behaves this way.
Understanding other planets requires a different theory, championed by Drs. Moore and Basu Sarkar, in which planetary surfaces are dominated by volcanism, rather than surface motions. This theory is known as planetary heat pipes, named for the volcanic fissures that allow molten rock to rise to the surface and erupt. Most rocky planets seem to have gone through a period of heat pipes before shifting to a different style of planetary behavior as they cooled off – in Earth’s case, but nowhere else, the shift resulted in plate tectonics. In their recent article, this theory is used to understand how Venus’ surface temperature, maintained at almost 900°F by its greenhouse atmosphere, prevented plate tectonics from happening on a planet otherwise very similar to Earth.
VenusDr. William B. MooreDr. Debajyoti Basu Sarkar
“The atmosphere of Venus acts like a blanket, which makes it harder for Venus to lose heat from its rocky mantle,” explained Dr. Basu Sarkar.
The article describes how this insulating effect means Venus cools more slowly and takes almost twice as long to reach the end of its heat pipe phase as Earth. By that point, the energy sources driving motion inside the planet are weaker and are not able to break up the surface and drive the kind of plate motions seen on Earth.
In the paper, the authors say their results can be applied to any planet, including planets that are outside the solar system, that have a rocky surface and thick atmosphere.
“We emphasized the role of surface temperature because it can connect planetary climate with interior processes like volcanism and tectonics,” said Dr. Basu Sarkar. “This means that we can build on our current results and link climate evolution to the dynamics of rocky planets like Earth, Venus, Mars, and exoplanets.”
Hampton, VA (December 12, 2022) – Hampton University has a history of being first on many fronts: the first HBCU to have full control of a NASA satellite mission; the first and only HBCU to have a proton therapy cancer treatment facility, The Hampton University Proton Therapy Institute (HUPTI) and in November 2023 the Hampton University Marching Force band directors Dr. Thomas L. Jones, Directors of Bands, and Assistant Directors of Bands Mr. Clifford Cox, II, and Mr. Alexander Hamilton, II were selected to participate in the 2023 Macy’s Day Parade. They are the first HBCU band directors to be a part of the Saluting America’s Band Directors Marching Band.
“It’s an honor to not only be selected to this prestigious event as an individual, but for all three of our directors to be selected, it truly underscores the hard work and dedication that goes into The Marching Force. Under President Williams’ leadership, he has inspired our staff and students alike to seek out and achieve these types of goals,” said Dr. Thomas L. Jones. Although Dr. Jones plays 14 instruments, he will most likely play trumpet in this band.
The Saluting America’s Band Directors (SABD) was created by the?Michael D. Sewell Memorial Foundation in 2017 to carry on the legacy of the late Mike Sewell, longtime band director in the Pickerington, Ohio school system. This Foundation project, named Saluting America’s Band Directors (SABD), was conceived as a way to recognize and salute the extraordinary dedication and accomplishments of band directors everywhere—public and private schools at all levels, colleges and universities, the military and community bands.
Joining Dr. Jones, playing Baritone, is Assistant Director of Bands Mr. Clifford Cox, II. “I have a belief that it is important for students to see their directors practice the same craft they are. It’s one thing for them to hear old stories and see old pictures or recordings. It’s another for them to witness it with their own eyes and understand that the dedication to the craft and to musicianship is ongoing,” Cox added.
Rounding out this tremendous trio of musicians is Mr. Alexander Hamilton, II, playing percussion who also serves as an Assistant Director of Bands. “To me, the idea of a band comprised of band directors from across the nation is exciting! Directors are often in the position of curating the performance and rarely a part of the show. When Hampton performed in 2021, we (the directors) had to sprint behind the television production crew to get back ahead of the band and were only able to watch the performance from being tagged on social media. Now, we will have the honor to be on the main stage along with other music educators as performers,” said Hamilton.
The 2023 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade will be Thursday, November 23rd in New York City!
About The Marching Force
The Hampton University Band Program currently consists of the Marching Band, the Concert Band, the Symphonic Winds and the Basketball Band. Each of these organizations strive to provide a high level of musical experience for its members, and provides music for various University functions under the umbrella of the Department of Music.
The Hampton University Marching Band, “The Force”, is a grand example of the positive impact of music on student engagement and success. The Force provides experiences which assist students in their ability to assume responsibility, establish a professional attitude, gain self-confidence, develop a humanistic attitude toward life, become proficient in their area of musical specialization, appreciate diverse cultures, and contribute positively to the world around them.
The Force is most often found serving alongside the Hampton University football team on Saturday game days. Fan anticipation is reserved for half time and the battle that will ensue to determine the musical champion of the day. It is a sight to behold and an adventure within itself. The cadence of the Drum Majors leading the march of musicians on a mission to perform at their best and make the audience feel their drive in the depths of their chest along with the beat of the S.T.I.C.K.Y. Situation drum line. The Ebony Fire dance team and S.I.L.K.Y. flag line sway in rhythmic unison, while the crowd watches in awe, mesmerized. They execute so precisely and so effortlessly, that the audience never fully understands the extreme dedication and hard work that goes into making each performance an exquisite experience for the senses of sight and sound.
The concept behind the Saluting America’s Band Directors (SABD) project was to create a unique marching band of band directorscomprising band directors and music educators from across North America. The band was recruited through advertising, social media, word of mouth and endorsements from well-known leaders in the profession. Renowned band director Jon Waters joined this effort to lead the Band Directors Marching Band.
Both HU students will receive 5G’s ($5,000) and mentorship opportunities to jumpstart their careers
Tiara C. Simms (NSU honoree); Sárah “Lee” Buckner, Hampton Senior; Amber Anderson, Hampton Senior (left to right)
HAMPTON, Va. (Dec. 12, 2022) — Hampton University seniors Sarah ‘Lee’ Buckner and Amber Anderson were announced as members of AT&T’s Dream in Black second Rising Future Makers Class. The 2022 class honors 25 students, all from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), who are making a positive impact in their communities and on their campuses.
“This moment is one of my biggest accomplishments ever,” said Bucker. “Being an AT&T Rising Future has been on my vision board since early this summer. I’m honored that AT&T sees me and wants to help me take my dreams to the next level. I prayed for this moment, and it’s finally here.”
“Becoming an AT&T rising future maker, is an absolute dream turned to reality,” said Anderson. “I am now able to continue fulfilling my passion of running my nonprofit black is gold and positively impacting the lives of young women who look like me”
An extension of AT&T’s Dream in Black Future Makers program, Rising Future Makers reflects AT&T’s continued commitment to empower diverse communities. As AT&T works to help bridge the digital divide, which disproportionately impacts communities of color and HBCU students, AT&T will provide access to technology and resources that connect the students to greater possibility.
“We received hundreds of nominations from across the country and only 25 selected,” said Betsy Francis, Vice President / General Manager of AT&T Mid Atlantic. “These two from Hampton University are talented individuals that stood out because of their selfless work, extreme talent, and their purpose to do good for others and support their community and future youth.”
Both Hampton students received $5,000 presented by AT&T 5G, an iPhone 13 with one year of AT&T service, among other gifts. They also will get professional workshop opportunities, including mentoring sessions with AT&T executives aimed at growing their network and furthering their career opportunities.
The Dream in Black Rising Future Makers program is geared towards promoting young Black talent and ensuring they have access to the network and resources they need to realize greater possibility. The inaugural class of 2021 saw tremendous success from the program, and many have graduated to begin their careers in tech, law, health, and politics with connections made through the opportunity. Beyond the initial workshops and networking opportunities, AT&T continued to support the future makers with exposure to hands-on opportunities that would further their dreams, including broadcast segments alongside actress and content creator Tabitha Brown as well as participating in panel discussions with AT&T executives at the 2022 Essence Music Festival.
Current Rising Future Makers will participate in a development workshop available exclusively to the students, where they can learn key tips on how to personally brand and pitch themselves to executive leaders. Within the experience, the inaugural class of Rising Future Makers and the 2022 class will be invited to attend networking opportunities and provide ongoing feedback, related to the program.
Baker and Anderson are the second and third Hampton students to be named Rising Future Makers. Trajan Baker was named in the inaugural Rising Future Makers class of 2021.
HAMPTON, Va. (Nov. 29, 2022) — Hampton University’s Department of Computer Science has been named #2 in Best Colleges 2022 ranking of the 10 Best HBCUs for Computer Science Programs.
The Hampton University Computer Science program was recognized for its work to increase the diversity of the STEM workforce through various programs such as Student Airborne Science Activation and other computer science initiatives. Community outreach efforts help to develop interest in engineering and science in local schools. The Student Success Center also provides connections that support student health and wellness, advising services, and learning strategies. Notable faculty and/or alumni include Mary Jackson, who was an African-American mathematician and aerospace engineer at NASA, and Sylvia Trent-Adams, who served as acting surgeon general of the U.S.
“The Department of Computer Science at Hampton University is honored and proud to be considered the #2 HBCU Computer Science Program from Best Colleges,” said Dr. Dr. Jean Muhammad, Chair of the Hampton University Department of Computer Science. “All of our faculty are dedicated to the success of all of our students. Within the last 8 years we have had 100% placement of our graduates. We are proud to state that our students are placed and employed in the Top industries around the country: Google, Microsoft, Apple, Accenture, Deloitte, Lockheed Martin to name a few. In addition, our students are attending and graduating from some of the Top graduate schools as well: Carnegie Mellon, Stanford, Georgia Tech, MIT, Rochester Institute of Technology. Going forward our current and future plans are to move to number 1.”
Two important factors inform Best College’s rankings for the list of the best HBCUs for computer science programs: accreditation and academic outcomes. Accreditation: Each school featured on the list is certified and accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). This board works collectively with four separate commissions in applied and natural sciences, computing, engineering, and engineering technology to select schools that meet the minimum program standards for STEM education. In total, there are approximately 15 HBCUs that are accredited by ABET as of the 2021-2022 academic year. Academic Outcomes: The additional factor evaluated for this ranking is academic outcomes. There are many facets of academic quality to consider when it comes to college. But for this list, Best Colleges chose to focus specifically on the six-year graduation rate and retention rate to not only signify the rate that students choose to stay at their institutions after their first year but also how they navigate college life to complete their degree and graduate from college.
“The School of Science and I continue to be proud of the stellar works of Dr.Muhammad and her colleagues within the Computer Science department,” said Dr. Isi Ero-Tolliver, Dean of the Hampton University School of Science. “With her leadership, we continue to excel within our programs, including being designated as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense for the NSA-Validated Programs of Study through the academic year 2027. Any student graduating from this program will be prepared for real world experiences and matriculation to the next steps!”
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have recently increased efforts to encourage BIPOC students (Black, Indigenous, and people of color) to enroll and major in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields.These efforts include everything from developing pipelines from secondary schools to providing culturally relevant support programs on campus.HBCUs contribute significantly to the economy by providing pathways of opportunity to many first-generation students. In spite of a historic lack of funding, HBCUs have produced 42% of Black engineers and 47% of Black women engineers.
The Hampton University Department of Computer Science offers coursework leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, in Computer Information Systems, and in Cyber Security – Computer Science Track. These programs are designed for students who plan to pursue in-depth training in one or more software application areas for entering the workforce. In addition, the Department prepares students for further graduate education in computer and information sciences. Coursework leading to the Master of Science degrees in Computer Science and in Cyber Security is provided.
The Hampton University Department is located in the Wilma Harper Horne Science & Technology Hall and has state-of-the-art computer resources, and an enviable record of placing its students in positions of employment or in graduate school. The Department has a freshman mentoring program, peer-tutoring program, and one on one curriculum advisement to ensure successful matriculation at Hampton University. In addition, the Department of Computer Science has a 98% placement rate (full-time employment and/or graduate school acceptance for graduating seniors.
HAMPTON, VA. (Nov. 7, 2022) – Dr. Neelam Azad, University Endowed Professor of Pharmacy, has been appointed vice president for research at Hampton University (HU). Dr. Azad joined Hampton University in 2008 as assistant professor of pharmacy and quickly rose through the ranks to chair of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences in 2014. She attained full professorship in 2019. Since her arrival at the University, she has been productive in basic and translational biomedical research, particularly in areas of lung pathology and cancer cell biology.
“I am committed to developing interdisciplinary research initiatives and establishment of core resources available to our new investigators with the goal of increased productivity and grantsmanship. My focus is on the current and future health of the University’s research enterprise and my goal during the next few years is to expand and strengthen the research capacity at Hampton University,” said Dr. Azad.
Dr. Neelam Azad, Vice President for Research
Since 2011, Dr. Azad has received continuous funding from the National Institutes of Health, totaling more than $6 million for extramural research. For approximately $3 million of the funding, she was the principal investigator. Her additional research accomplishments include a patent, 55 scientific publications in several notable journals, presentations at various national and international conferences, and features in various publications. She serves on the editorial board for several prestigious journals and is a grant reviewer for multiple funding agencies. Her research’s influence is evident in her 12,000 citations and H-index of 27 of her published work.
Dr. Azad is the recipient of the inaugural Hampton University President’s Ambassador for Academic Excellence in recognition of her commitment and research accomplishments. In addition, she has received the Faculty Scholar in Cancer Research award from American Association for Cancer Research for three consecutive years. Notably, Dr. Azad has also received the “Professor of the Year” award from the University’s School of Pharmacy for three consecutive years, and the Provost’s Academic Excellence Faculty Award.
Dr. Azad is a Leadership Fellow with the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. She was named a University Endowed Professor by the former University president in recognition of her accomplishments. She also briefly served as the director of the Cancer Research Center and the assistant vice president for research at Hampton University before assuming her current position.
Dr. Azad is a native of Mumbai, India where she completed her Bachelor of Pharmacy degree in 2001. She earned the Ph.D. in pharmaceutical and pharmacological sciences in 2007 from West Virginia University. On the personal front, Dr. Azad and her husband Dr. Anand Iyer, Dean of the School of Pharmacy at Hampton University, live in Yorktown, Virginia with their two children – daughter, Ravya and son, Viraaj.
