Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Ohio University and Eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities Form Alliance

Ohio University and Eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities Form Alliance: Ohio University and eight historically Black colleges and universities have joined together in a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the number of resources and educational options available to students at all nine schools.

The partnership emerged from a discussion Dr. Roderick McDavis, president of OU had with Dr. James Renick, the former president of North Carolina A&T University, and Dr. Andrew Hugine, former president of South Carolina State University, in 2005.

“We began talking about issues that related to students and faculty, pipeline issues and getting more people of color for administrative and faculty positions. Realizing that we were having similar issues, we said, ‘how about creating a consortium that would allow us talk about our issues of concern?’” McDavis says.

After a number of meetings and more conversation, the Interlink Alliance was born.

Through the alliance, nine inaugural members will share resources and talent to create new opportunities for faculty, staff and students. At the forefront of the agenda for the new alliance is faculty development, student leadership and Black male development. Among other activities, the collaborative will establish faculty- and student-exchange programs.