Page 35 - TMCF 2024 Annual Report

“This event is important to me because it allows HBCU presidents and chancellors from across the country to come together and work collaboratively to figure out some of our greatest challenges,” Conyers said.
The event is part of TMCF’s policy, advocacy and capacity building work, which includes advocating
for federal legislation and policy that promotes the sustainability and growth of member schools, as well as helping institutions access resources to build capacity and strengthen academic and financial support.
“To be able to have the opportunity to engage with leaders of institutions from across the country, as well as our congressional leaders, to make sure that they understand the contributions that our institutions are making to the success of this country, is incredible for us,” Dr. Patricia G. Sims, president of Drake State Community and Technical College, said.
Presidents and chancellors also met with Congressional Black Caucus leadership, senior members of the Biden administration and attended workshops and meetings with Business Roundtable members. Discussions included the TMCF value proposition, sustainability and capacity building for member institutions, and
a fireside chat with U.S. Secretary of Education Dr. Miguel A. Cardona. Attendees thanked Cardona for his
commitment to HBCUs and encouraged him to extend financial aid verification for another year to assist with the onboarding of Better FAFSA.
Presidents and chancellors received presentations
from Boeing, the National Institutes of Health and the American Council on Education regarding the revisions to the methodology for the Carnegie Classification
of Institutions of Higher Education. Important conversations were also had about modernizing America’s workforce development system with U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce Chairwoman Virginia Foxx and Ranking Member Bobby Scott, reimagining postsecondary pathways and presentations by the U.S. Department
of Defense University-Affiliated Research Center Laboratories (UARCs) and the U.S. Department of Commerce about CHIPS for America.
For Dr. Aminta H. Breaux, president of Bowie State University, said the work continues after the HBCU Fly-In.
“We need to continue to share the story about our historic institutions,” Breaux said. “Raising awareness about the value that we bring to our communities, including the economic value that we bring, and raising the bar for many others to invest in our historic institutions.”
THURGOOD MARSHALL COLLEGE FUND 35