North Carolina A&T University has received a $5 million grant for a new program aimed at increasing the number of African American students securing careers in business and engineering. The school says it's the largest corporate investment in its history.
A&T is teaming up with Walmart for the Equity in Education Initiative, designed to support undergraduate students with resources as they pursue professional careers.
According to a news release, the program will encompass four focus areas.
One will address Black male achievement, retention, and graduation rates, which are often lower than that of their female peers.
A leadership initiative will provide male and female students with the skills, coaching, and connections to accelerate professional careers after graduating.
A third program aims to prepare students for management roles in engineering, which has been historically dominated by majority populations.
Also, a plan for scholarship support will be developed.
The initiative is set to begin in early 2021 and is slated for five years.
N.C. A&T is the country's largest and top-ranked historically black university.