Richmond Leader

Washington, D.C. – On June 15, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Growing Reputable Academic Departments (GRAD) Act to help bolster graduate-level STEM programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Predominantly Black Institutions (PBIs).

HBCUs and PBIs are historically underfunded and lag behind those of non-HBCU institutions by at least 70 percent. Between 2002 and 2019, HBCUs and PBIs saw a drastic decrease in philanthropic and foundation support. 

“Virginia’s Fourth is home to two HBCUs, Virginia Union University and Virginia State University, which have helped prepare generations of leaders in our Commonwealth. Our nation’s HBCUs and PBIs serve as crucial academic and social institutions for Black Americans and help historically marginalized communities circumvent long-standing barriers to higher education,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “They empower countless first-generation college students and serve as hubs that help drive American innovation and advancement; however, they suffer from a systemic lack of funding and support. I am proud to introduce the GRAD Act to help address these disparities and strengthen graduate-level STEM research at HBCUs and PBIs. This legislation will provide a lifeline to these prestigious institutions and help improve representation in STEM-related fields.”

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Predominantly Black Institutions do exceptional work to prepare the leaders of the future for careers in STEM education and produce an outsized number of Black graduates with degrees in STEM fields. We should expand on that success,” said Congresswoman Alma Adams, founder and co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional HBCU Caucus. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Growing Reputable Academic Departments Act or GRAD Act with Congresswoman McClellan. This legislation would expand the number of HBCUs and PBIs eligible to receive federal funding for graduate-level STEM programs. The GRAD Act is the next big step for equity in higher education and will provide critical support not only to academic institutions, but also to the students and communities they serve.” 

"Virginia State University is one of the top universities in the country for producing black STEM graduates, specifically Black male computer science graduates. The additional federal funding from the GRAD Act will support our continuous efforts to provide an even greater post-graduate STEM educational experience. We applaud the tremendous work of Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan and Rep. Alma Adams as they continue to have a major impact through their tireless efforts to encourage our success and ensure the continued transformative opportunities offered by VSU and all HBCUs and PBIs," said Dr. Makola M. Abdullah, Ph.D., President of Virginia State University.  

“This legislation will open up new pathways for HBCUs to serve more students, especially those who are the first in their families to study at the graduate level,” said Dr. Hakim J. Lucas, President of Virginia Union University, the oldest HBCU in the Commonwealth of Virginia. “The timing is right and the need is real, as rising enrollment drives Virginia Union and other universities to expand graduate-level programs. Virginia Union applauds Congresswoman McClellan for her leadership, and we look forward to helping her pass this bill into law.” 

The bill is originally cosponsored by Reps. Troy Carter (LA-02), Yvette Clark (NY-09), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18), Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), and Terri Sewell (AL-07).

The legislation is endorsed by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund and the United Negro College Fund.

Read the GRAD Act bill text and one-pager.

Original source can be found here.