Senior Joins White House Cohort of HBCU Students Advocating for Educational Equity

Cassidy McClellan has been named a 2024 White House HBCU Scholar, joining a talented group of students recognized for their academic excellence and leadership potential. The White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) announced the cohort last week as part of the program's 10th anniversary.

McClellan, an elementary education major from Toledo, Ohio, is one of 110 students selected from 77 HBCUs across the country. As a White House HBCU Scholar, McClellan aims to be a voice for students on Capitol Hill and beyond. “I am extremely excited to have been selected,” says McClellan. “This role allows me to continue my advocacy on a national level, especially for students at HBCUs. I want to work towards gaining more recognition and equitable opportunities for HBCUs that aren’t always in the spotlight but produce dynamic leaders, like myself.”

Earlier this year, McClellan was among 90 individuals invited to the White House for the inaugural Interagency Youth Policy Summit, where she engaged with policymakers and contributed ideas for policy improvement. Looking ahead, McClellan is eager to attend the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference in Philadelphia, where she will meet fellow HBCU White House Scholars and government officials.

In addition to her academic and advocacy work, McClellan is deeply involved in campus life. She is involved in the Student Government Association, Student Activities Board, and the Honors Program. A member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, she also holds the position of financial secretary for the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC). 

“My time on the Hill has been amazing,” McClellan said. “As an out-of-state student, Alabama A&M has provided me with a home away from home. I always make sure to represent Alabama A&M wherever I go, and I will forever be grateful for all the connections I’ve made on the Hill.”

McClellan is set to graduate in December and plans to pursue a career in education policy, focusing on creating equitable opportunities for minority and low-income students on a federal level.