Grambling State University Receives $2.1M Hawkins Grant from Biden-Harris administration
Grant Will Fund Initiative to Enhance Teacher Diversity and Multilingual Representation in Underrepresented Populations
Building on a commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in education, Grambling State University (GSU) has been selected as one of only four Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to receive the prestigious Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence (Hawkins) grant. The grant, which provides $379,000 for the first year, and $2.1 million over five years, will support GSU’s efforts to increase multilingual representation and address the need for more diverse educators in underserved communities.
“This opportunity allows us to explore all factors of the learning process that impact student success,” said Grambling State President Martin Lemelle, Jr. “From diversity in the classroom to innovative teaching techniques, we are expanding how education is delivered and received. This grant represents another step in our commitment to standing at the forefront of workforce preparedness, ensuring our graduates are ready to excel in today’s complex educational landscape.”
The grant, awarded by the Biden-Harris Administration through the U.S. Department of Education, supports GSU’s groundbreaking initiative, GramPREP: The Grambling Center of Excellence for Teaching and Learning. Dr. Danielle Williams, Assistant Professor in the College of Education, will serve as the Principal Investigator (PI) for the project. Katina Crowe-Scott will serve as the Program Coordinator.
“Grambling State University is uniquely positioned to address the barriers faced by bilingual teacher candidates, especially those from underrepresented communities,” said Dr. Danielle Williams. “By creating this groundbreaking program at an HBCU, we are closing opportunity gaps and promoting a multilingual approach to teaching and learning. This program offers a rare and vital platform for multilingual educators to collaborate, share experiences, and develop strategies.”
GramPREP aims to address critical needs within local education agencies (LEAs) by recruiting and training 45 aspiring teachers from underrepresented populations. The program will enhance GSU’s teacher preparation programs by aligning coursework, coaching, and support with an evidence-based instructional rubric. It will also establish robust clinical experiences in partnership with LEAs and support teacher retention through Communities of Practice and induction program design workshops.
“We are at a pivotal moment in the growth of our institution,” said Theodore Callier, Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs at GSU. “A key driver of that growth is the collective research and creative works by our faculty. Grambling State has a long and successful history of producing well-prepared educators. This latest investment is a testament to the US Department of Education’s continued commitment to advancing educational excellence and ensuring a diverse, well-supported teaching workforce.”