MS HC15

Acknowledges the importance of creating the "Mississippi Initiative on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)" to increase opportunities for HBCUs to participate in state programs and ensure Mississippi has the highest proportion of HBCU college graduates in the country.

Recognizes that HBCUs have contributed to economic growth and served as ladders of intergenerational advancement for over 150 years, currently serving more than 300,000 undergraduate and graduate students across 105 institutions.

Identifies five core tasks for the initiative: strengthening HBCU capacity in state programs, fostering private-sector partnerships and research excellence, improving information dissemination about HBCUs, sharing administrative practices within the consortium, and exploring improved state-HBCU relationships.

Encourages the Legislature to provide financial support through appropriated funds for the initiative's organization, operation, and continuation, with funds to be equitably distributed among participating HBCU institutions.

Directs copies of the resolution to the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher Learning, Mississippi's HBCUs, and the Capitol Press Corps.