Two Prairie View A&M University students have been announced as scholars a part of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The ninth cohort of HBCU Scholars recognizes 86 undergraduate, graduate and professional students for their accomplishments in academics, leadership, civic engagement and much more, according to a press release.

Kennedy Paul from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is a senior biology major and a member of the PVAMU Women’s Basketball team. M. Javari Henderson of Nashville, Tennessee, is a senior architecture major, Honors Program student and a member of the Marching Storm band.

Paul and Henderson were selected from a competitive pool of over 350 students from 56 HBCUs nationwide.

“The HBCU Scholars have dedicated themselves to their learning and exemplify the talent that our nation’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities have nurtured for generations,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. “The Biden-Harris administration is committed to supporting these leaders, and I cannot wait to learn from them while they serve as ambassadors for the White House Initiative and their institutions.”

Over the course of an academic school year, HBCU Scholars will serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on HBCUs. They will be offered training and cross-university networking opportunities. Scholars will also have a chance to work on issues specifically related to the HBCU community and participate in national and regional events with professionals from a wide range of disciplines.

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