Statement on New Executive Director to the White House Initiative on HBCUs

UNCF is pleased to learn that the White House has reportedly named an Executive Director, Johnathan Holifield, to the White House Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This request was the first of Six Top Priorities for HBCUs that UNCF issued to the new administration for consideration back in February.

“I, along with our SVP, Public Policy and Government Affairs, Cheryl Smith, will meet Mr. Holifield tomorrow during the White House Summit on Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and we look forward to learning how he will champion meaningful actions to advance HBCUs and ensure that more African American students have the opportunity to go to and through college,” stated Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO of UNCF.

“As we have done since the start of the new administration, UNCF will seek every opportunity to present Mr. Holifield with our federal policy proposals and enlist his essential support of investments in HBCUs and, most importantly, our students.”

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About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF annually awards $100 million in scholarships and administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized trademark, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.^®” Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous news and updates, follow UNCF on Twitter, @UNCF