North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has been named a recipient of two of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU) Council of 1890 Universities’1890 Teaching, Research and Innovation Awards for 2014: the 1890 University of the Year Award and the Innovation Award.

N.C. A&T and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore won the 1890 University of the Year Award for the best overall performance in each of 14 categories from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014. A&T and UMES were among the top three in six out of 14 categories.

The Innovation Award was presented to A&T and the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff for the largest increases in successfully transferring intellectual property into new products, processes, applications, materials or services that have been successfully taken to market from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014.

Now in its second year, the annual honor highlights exemplary achievements at 1890 land-grant institutions by recognizing advances in teaching, research and innovation on 1890 university campuses and encourages further advancement and development in areas of critical importance. The awards were presented during a special reception at the 127th APLU Annual Meeting underway in Orlando, Florida.

The Council of 1890 Universities, which is comprised of presidents and chancellors from APLU member historically black land-grant and public universities, works to strengthen teaching, research and extension programs as well as seeks to maintain, ensure and increase funding at these institutions. The awards are designed to bring exposure to these universities and add to the national dialogue regarding their significance.

Prior to the selection process, self-reported data from the 1890 Universities was submitted in a number of outcome categories (e.g., retention rates, research revenue and expenditures, etc.). Each university was then evaluated among its peers with the winning institution demonstrating the most productivity in a given area.  

APLU Vice President for Access and Success John Michael Lee Jr. said, “The 1890 Teaching, Research and Innovation Awards not only serve as a means to recognize the advances of 1890 university campuses in these areas, but serve as a means to tell the story of how black public universities are going above and beyond their call of duty.”

Listed below are the other awards categories and recipients:

The Retention Award - Lincoln University for the largest improvement in retention rates over the last academic year for first year (freshman to sophomore) retention from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

The Degree Completion Award - Kentucky State University for the greatest increase in bachelor’s degrees from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

Agriculture Degree Completion Award - Lincoln University for the greatest increase in agriculture bachelor’s degrees from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

Education Degree Completion Award - Fort Valley State University because for the greatest increase in teacher education bachelor’s degrees from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

STEM Degree Completion Award - Alcorn State University for the greatest increase in science, technology, engineering and mathematics bachelor’s degrees from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

Intellectual Property Award - Fort Valley State University for the largest increase in an intellectual property portfolio (patents, industrial design rights, etc.) from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

Research Award - Kentucky State University for the largest increase in federal funding from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

International Research Award - Southern University for the largest increase in international research awards from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

Experiential Student Learning Award - Kentucky State University for the largest increase in undergraduate students participating in research and internships that has been proven to increase student persistence to graduation from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

International Students Award - Delaware State University for the largest increase in undergraduate international students from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

International Student Development Award - University of Maryland Eastern Shore for the largest increase in undergraduate students participating in study abroad programs from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

Alumni Engagement Award (Number) - University of Arkansas Pine Bluff for the largest increase in donations to the university by alumni from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

Alumni Engagement Award (Amount) - West Virginia State University for the largest increase in alumni donations from 2012-2013 through 2013-2014

Exemplary Alumni Award - West Virginia State University for the single largest donation (monetary or in-kind) to the university from an alumnus during the 2013-2014 academic year

1890 University of the Year Award - North Carolina A&T State University and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore 

Personnel in the School of Business and Economics’ financial trading room want to help North Carolina A&T State University students—and employees—flex their fiscal muscles.

For the fifth year in a row, Sandra Jones-Strayhorn, technical director of the financial trading room, and Dr. Vereda Williams, director of the financial trading room and chair of the Department of Economics, have been facilitating the Financially Fit Aggies program in the financial trading room in Craig Hall.

“We decided we wanted to offer a series of programs for our students, faculty, staff and community to help them be more financially literate,” Jones-Strayhorn said.

The program has presentations as simple as budgeting and as complicated as trading stocks. Courses are offered at beginner and intermediate levels to appeal to a diverse audience.

“Our goal is to help them not only learn about these things but to share it with their families and eventually their communities,” Williams said.

So far this semester, student presentations have included budgeting and money management, stock market experience, investment basics, fundamental of trading stocks and the most recent presentations include understanding credit and credit reports, and successful money mindset for Generations X, Y and Z money management.

“We used to have to pull students in to these programs, now they want to come in,” Williams said.

Last semester, about 107 students participated in the programs. Jones-Strayhorn and Williams expect to exceed that number this semester, working with groups like the women’s basketball team and other student groups.

“Once a student comes, they start to tell their friends and it’s been growing,” Jones-Strayhorn said. “Our goal is to touch every freshman who comes to the university.

There are two additional student presentations set for Wednesday, Nov. 12, on consumer fraud and identity theft and money management. The faculty, staff and community presentation is set for Saturday, Dec. 6, and is titled, “Your Guide to Financial Wellness.”

Jones-Strayhorn and Williams are in the process of choosing topics for next semester. They will keep the beginner courses about budgeting, investment, understanding credit and identity theft.

For additional information about the presentations, visit the School of Business and Economics website.

With just a few more weeks left in the fall semester, admissions representatives and faculty members from across North Carolina A&T State University are looking forward to next year’s enrollment by hosting a series of Aggie Nights events.

“Aggie Nights are informational receptions hosted at locations across the country that allow prospective students, parents and school administrators to meet N.C. A&T representatives and alumni,” said Crystal R. Williams, associate director of undergraduate admissions. 

Prospective students get the opportunity to hear from current students about their experiences in Aggieland as well as information about admissions, financial aid and how to choose the right major. Many high school students apply to A&T either during these events or as a result of them, Williams said.

Aggie Nights events have been in existence for more than 20 years. This semester, the events have already been hosted in Charlotte, Columbia, S.C., and Atlanta. By the end of January, Aggie Nights will travel to Raleigh, Greenville, N.C., Roanoke Rapids, N.C., and the Washington, D.C., area.

The cities are selected by national, college board and institutional data.

These events offer a great opportunity for faculty, staff and alumni to become actively involved with the recruitment process as they can attend to be resources for the various schools, colleges and offices in attendance.

Alumni are given the option to become certified alumni recruiters by attending a one-hour training session prior to the start of every Aggie Nights event. The idea is to ensure alumni are properly trained and equipped with the updated information for the admissions process. Alumni must be trained in order to participate in recruiting events.

The local Aggie Nights event is set for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 9, in the Alumni-Foundation Event Center. If you are interested in volunteering for this event, contact Crystal R. Williams in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 334-7946 or crwillia@ncat.edu.