The PROPEL Center, an innovation and technology hub for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), recently celebrated the achievements of 37 faculty members who completed the HBCU Faculty Fellows Academy (HFFA). This year-long program is designed to enhance teaching skills and ensure the most impactful classroom experiences. The program’s culmination, held in Austin, Texas, showcased the fellows' achievements and their plans to integrate cutting-edge Apple technology into their teaching practices.

Empowering HBCU Educators

The HFFA, launched by the PROPEL Center, serves as a cornerstone initiative that provides selected HBCU faculty with professional development opportunities. The program focuses on leveraging Apple technology to promote student success and expand professional networks. "At PROPEL Center, we remain committed to igniting opportunities in the classroom for both students and faculty through accelerated, experiential, and virtual learning opportunities," said PROPEL Center President Dr. Lisa Herring. "Our professors play an integral role in shaping the career trajectories of more than 300,000 students currently enrolled at HBCUs. It's imperative that we work collaboratively with these distinguished institutions to ensure their faculty and students remain equipped to lead in a dynamic and ever-changing marketplace."

Showcase of Achievements

The highlight of the twelve-month experience was a two-day faculty showcase hosted in partnership with PROPEL Center's founding sponsor, Apple. The event spotlighted the cohort's accomplishments and demonstrated how faculty members plan to integrate learning science principles, Apple technology, and the PROPEL Center leadership model to enhance learning outcomes at their respective institutions.

Impressive Results and Future Integration*

Following their participation in the program, 100% of the fellows reported an increase in their professional networks, expanding their community across the HBCU ecosystem. Additionally, all faculty fellows are preparing to integrate Apple technology into their classrooms, benefiting thousands of students from the enhanced teaching skills of the cohort.

Curriculum Designed for Impact

The academy's curriculum is crafted by industry experts, HBCU faculty, and notable workforce collaborators, ensuring relevance and an innovative, personalized professional development experience. "The program's curriculum design and delivery incorporate learning science principles that account for the unique learning needs of neurodiverse and culturally diverse learners," said PROPEL Center Chief Learning and Innovation Officer Dr. Camesha Whittaker. "The curated learning experience emphasizes active, hands-on activities and challenge-based learning opportunities with a special focus on educators understanding ways to better support students along a unique learning journey."

2023-2024 HFFA Participants

The diverse group of educators who completed the program includes:

- Yaw Adoo, Morris Brown College

- Mohit Anand, Miles College

- Brody Bluemel, Delaware State University

- Tamara Brown Payne, Fort Valley State University

- Claudius Claiborne, Texas Southern University

- Monique Earl-Lewis, Morehouse College

- Megan Fields, Fort Valley State University

- MaKisha Funderburke, Clark Atlanta University

- Patrice W. Glenn Jones, Alabama State University

- William Hanff, University District of Columbia

- Andrew Hutchens, Benedict College

- Keesha James, Lawson State University

- Maurice Johnson, Florida A&M University

- Kenya Jones, Clark Atlanta University

- Sosanya Jones, Howard University

- Ishwari Kunwar, Fort Valley State University

- Nancy Linden, Savannah State University

- Johnny Lowery, Claflin University

- Marisela Martinez-Cola, Morehouse College

- Ariana Mbemi, Jackson State University

- Ouida McAfee, Coahoma Community College

- Muhsinah Morris, Morehouse College

- Christina Muhammad, Morehouse School of Medicine

- Steven Onukwull, Bishop State Community College

- Charmayne Patterson, Clark Atlanta University

- Sylvester Polk, Bethune-Cookman College

- Kimetta Reynolds Hairston, Bowie State University

- Detrice Roberts, Jackson State University

- Tytianna Rungstaff, Simmons College

- Ruth Smith, Bethune-Cookman College

- Steven Starks, Clark Atlanta University

- Toni Stevens, Spelman College

- Adria Welcher, Morehouse College

- Avery Williams, Morehouse College

Looking Forward

As PROPEL Center celebrates the accomplishments of its faculty fellows representing 25 HBCUs, it sets the stage for a new cohort poised to further elevate the educational landscape within HBCUs. "With a focus on honing leadership and tech-enhanced ways to facilitate learning, the HFFA stands as a beacon of teaching innovation in the HBCU ecosystem," said Dr. Herring.

2023-2024 HHFA Participants
Yaw Adoo, Morris Brown College
Mohit Anand, Miles College
Brody Bluemel, Delaware State University
Tamara Brown Payne, Fort Valley State University
Claudius Claiborne, Texas Southern University
Monique Earl-Lewis, Morehouse College
Megan Fields, Fort Valley State University
MaKisha Funderburke, Clark Atlanta University
Patrice W. Glenn Jones, Alabama State University
William Hanff, University District of Columbia
Andrew Hutchens, Benedict College
Keesha James, Lawson State University
Maurice Johnson, Florida A&M University
Kenya Jones, Clark Atlanta University
Sosanya Jones, Howard University
Ishwari Kunwar, Fort Valley State University
Nancy Linden, Savannah State University

Johnny Lowery, Claflin University
Marisela Martinez-Cola, Morehouse College
Ariana Mbemi, Jackson State University
Ouida McAfee, Coahoma Community College
Muhsinah Morris, Morehouse College
Christina Muhammad, Morehouse School of Medicine
Steven Onukwull, Bishop State Community College
Charmayne Patterson, Clark Atlanta University
Sylvester Polk, Bethune-Cookman College
Kimetta Reynolds Hairston, Bowie State University
Detrice Roberts, Jackson State University
Tytianna Rungstaff, Simmons College
Ruth Smith, Bethune-Cookman College
Steven Starks, Clark Atlanta University
Toni Stevens, Spelman College
Adria Welcher, Morehouse College
Avery Williams, Morehouse College

4-2025 HHFA Participants
Jarralynne Agee, Miles College
Monique Anderson, Lane College
Herbert A. Brisbon, Dillard University
Angela L. Charlton, Coppin State University
Satyanarayan Dev, Florida A&M University
Biswadeep Dhar, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Takisha Durm, Alabama A&M University
Agbor A. Ebot, Livingstone College
Valeree Ellis-Barnes, Rust College
Dwedor W. Ford, Prairie View A&M University
Kristi Garrett, Morris Brown College
Rosalyn D. Harrington, Winston-Salem State University
Jerry L. Haywood, Jr., Fort Valley State University
Farzana Hussain, Huston-Tillotson University
Renita J. Irving, Clinton College
Stacy J. Jones, Jackson State University
Rhonda L. Lucas, Bishop State Community College

Nathalie Mizelle, University of the District of Columbia
Anisha Moorhead, Harris-Stowe State University
Krystal Peters, Cheyney University
Jeremy Allen Pittman, Coahoma Community College
Amanda Plain, Miles College
Yasmeen Rawajfih, Tuskegee University
Erica R. Russell, Norfolk State University
Karen E. Stewart, Tennessee State University
Morris Thomas, Howard University
Geneene N. Thompson, North Carolina A&T State University
John Wagner Givens, Spelman College
Reshid Xavier Walker, Delaware State University

For more information on future HFFA opportunities, visit propelcenter.org.