Lincoln University is getting $4.4 million from the federal Education department over the next five years.
The award is from the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act (SAFRA) grant program - part of the Title III program that assists Historically Black Colleges and Universities in either establishing or strengthening their physical plants, financial management, academic resources and endowment-building capacity.
Dona McKinney, director of LU's Office of Sponsored Research, said in a news release, "This award provides Lincoln with critical services needed to provide a strong program of academic support for our students - aimed at improving their retention and graduation rates, while preparing them to successfully enter into the field of their choice as well (as being) educated members of the workforce."
SAFRA activities may include student services, educational equipment acquisition, facility renovation and construction, and faculty and staff development.
Lincoln will use the grant in support of activities focused on providing student-based services designed to improve academic success, including:
• Student Academic Success Center - Providing peer tutors to work with students who are struggling academically.
• Minority Male Teacher Preparation Program - Working to increase the number of males of color who consider entering the field of education.
• Entrepreneurial Marketing/Design Center - Teaching students the best practices and latest skill sets by working with local clients on real-world projects. Classes are designed to give students a real-world application of theories and concepts from both business and journalism.
• Graduate Assistantships Program - Establishing 15 graduate assistantship opportunities to provide support and experience for students enrolled in Lincoln University graduate programs.
• Study Abroad - Supporting a partnership between Lincoln University and the U.S. State Department to attract outstanding young people to pursue careers in the State Department, while also preparing them for roles in the global economy.
• Honors College - Helping academic scholars and other target populations who are academically high-achieving.
• Living Learning Communities - Developing learning communities for academic scholars and other target populations who will actively support an academic environment rich in learning.
• Freshman Institute - Developing an eight-week summer bridge program for 25 first-time freshman students who show great promise in education, science, math, engineering, technology or nursing.
• Broadcast Journalism for Underrepresented Individuals - Working to meet an increasing need for underrepresented individuals in the field of journalism.
Said Sewell, Lincoln's provost and Academic Affairs vice president, said in the news release, "We are excited that we were awarded the SAFRA grant because it will allow us an opportunity to develop new and innovative programs to assist our students in becoming more career-ready upon graduation.
"In addition to thanking Dr. McKinney for assisting me writing this proposal, we are grateful for our congressional delegation, Senators Blunt and McCaskill, and Rep. Luetkemeyer, for their continued support of our students and university."