June 10, 2008 — More than 150 managers of a federal program to boost historically black colleges and universities will gather on St. Thomas later this month for a workshop co-hosted by the University of the Virgin Islands.
UVI will co-host a technical assistance workshop for a U.S. Department of Education grant program, the Title III Part B Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) program, according to a news release from the school. The managers will gather June 25-27 for the National Association of HBCU Title III Administrators Technical Assistance Workshop at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort.
"During the three days of sessions, university presidents, grant administrators and officials from the U.S. Department of Education will explore exemplary projects that serve as models for participating institutions, discuss the expectations of the U.S. Department of Education, and network with each other," the release said. "Participants will also have an opportunity to tour the St. Thomas campus of the university while on island."
The Title III program grants provide financial assistance to HBCUs to assist in establishing or strengthening their physical plants, financial management, academic resources and endowments.
UVI President Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster sees the workshop as an opportunity to share in the accomplishments and challenges that face these institutions as they implement the grant program, the release said. UVI is the only HBCU outside the continental United States.
"The University of the Virgin Islands shares many of the same triumphs and challenges as HBCUs on the U.S. mainland," Ragster said. "Funding sources such as the Title III Part B program provide an incredible resource for institutional capacity building."
Participants will be offered island tours and a trip to St. John.
Through the use of Title III funds, UVI has developed its Strategic Plan — VISION 2012, established the Campus Advising and Tutorial Services (CATS) Center to assist students in need of academic support, established several "smart" classrooms to facilitate technology-assisted instruction, and developed and enhanced video-conferencing facilities on both campuses to facilitate inter-campus communication and instruction.
For more information about the HBCU Title III Administrators' Association, click here.
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