Tougaloo College is thrilled to announce that two of its distinguished students, Ms. Almia Valentine and Mr. Aeries Hoskins, have been named 2024 HBCU Scholars by the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Both students are among the six scholars selected from Mississippi, recognizing their exceptional academic achievements, leadership potential, and dedication to community service.
The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through HBCUs, led by U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, honors outstanding students who demonstrate academic excellence, leadership, and a commitment to their communities. This year’s scholars were selected from a highly competitive pool of over 350 applicants representing 23 states and 11 countries.
A distinctive feature of the HBCU Scholars Program is its partnership with NASA. Through the Minority University Research and Education Project Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC), Valentine and Hoskins will collaborate with fellow scholars to develop and commercialize technology derived from NASA’s intellectual property. This initiative fosters innovative thinking with the potential to make a lasting impact on campuses and communities.
Valentine and Hoskins will attend the 2024 HBCU Week National Annual Conference in Philadelphia, PA in September. Themed "Raising the Bar: Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet," the conference will provide HBCU Scholars with opportunities for leadership development, innovation, and professional growth through s
Dr. Donzell Lee, President of Tougaloo College, expressed his pride in Valentine and Hoskins’ achievements, stating:
"The selection of Almia Valentine and Aeries Hoskins as two of Mississippi’s six HBCU Scholars is a reflection of their hard work, resilience, and the strong educational foundation they have built here at Tougaloo College. Their recognition is well-deserved, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will continue to make as they represent our institution on the national stage."
The Tougaloo community celebrates this momentous achievement and eagerly supports Valentine and Hoskins as they continue to exemplify the excellence of HBCU scholars.
