Mid-Year Conference: Hugine Shares 2020 Vision

Faculty and staff members at Alabama A&M University returned for their annual mid-year conference on Friday, January 3, to hear reports from their colleagues on the University’s “Student of Concern” and other mental health awareness initiatives; to learn about financial/retirement advice options and career development services; and to receive updates from administrators.

Dr. Jeanette Jones, president of the AAMU Faculty Senate, praised faculty for living up to the school’s motto, “Service Is Sovereignty,” throughout the academic year.  She added that the year 2020 presents faculty with “new opportunities to make a difference” and to literally “change the life” of someone’s son or daughter.  Jones urged her colleagues to consider what they will do throughout 2020 to “make things better.”

Finally, the distinguished biology professor further encouraged the educators to seek out and to form collaborations beyond their respective departments.  Jones concluded by acknowledging the ongoing success of the Faculty Mentoring Program and noted that upcoming efforts will focus on gender equity issues.

Staff Senate President Malcolm Brasher urged staffers to become active participants in the Staff Senate.

AAMU President Andrew Hugine, Jr., stressed the importance of embracing the changes and challenges of 2020 with enthusiasm, motivation, boldness, resilience, accountability, commitment and high expectations.

Hugine said a new historic publication capturing AAMU 50-year highlights between 1969 and 2019 will be available for purchase ($50) around January 15.  As part of the 50-year anniversary celebration and retention scholarship effort, Hugine stated that 10 newly endowed scholarships had been established and more than $761,000 had been raised for the retention initiative.  Additionally, although down approximately 10 percent over 2018, AAMU’s United Way campaign secured $40,739.08 and netted 21 Red Feather donors ($1,000 each).

President Hugine stated that recently secured federal funding for historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) will have a significant impact on the continued missions of campus programs, such as the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), distance education and e-learning, increased Pell grants, and a more simplified FAFSA (national financial aid application process).

Meanwhile, the support of faculty and staff will be summoned, stated Hugine, in fulfillment of the fifth-year interim report required by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).  The report will concentrate on core requirements, he explained.

Among the new initiatives, said Hugine, are increases to the University endowment by $1 million per year; work toward erection of an event center and welcome center; renovations to Frank Lewis Gymnasium, Bibb Graves Hall and the R.D. Morrison Fine Arts Building; and bringing the completed McCalep Vocational Building into full operation.

- J. Saintjones

 

Main Webpage Caption:  Staff from Marketing, Communication and Advancement joined several honored during the Mid-Year Faculty Staff Conference. Pictured (l-r) are:  President Andrew Hugine, Jr., Michael Colston, Reba Trammell, Linda Elliott, Danielle Vandiver, Naureen Qaiyyum and Dr. Archie Tucker II, MCA vice president.