PROPEL Center Honors 37 Faculty Fellows for Completing Innovative Training Program for HBCU Professors

[Atlanta, Ga.] A cohort of nearly 40 Historically Black College and University (HBCU) leaders recently culminated a year-long professional development training designed to enhance teaching skills to ensure the most impactful learning classroom experience. Launched by PROPEL Center, an innovation technology hub for HBCUs, the HBCU Faculty Fellows Academy (HFFA) serves as a cornerstone programmatic initiative that provides selected faculty members an opportunity to facilitate learning, lead and leverage Apple technology to promote student success, and expand their professional network. 

“At PROPEL Center, we remain committed to igniting opportunities in the classroom for both students and faculty through accelerated, experiential and virtual learning opportunities that infuse leading technology and industry-aligned professional training,” said PROPEL Center President Dr. Lisa Herring. “Our professors play an integral role in shaping the career trajectories of more than 300,000 students currently enrolled at HBCUs. It’s imperative that we work collaboratively with these distinguished institutions to ensure their faculty and students remain equipped to lead in a dynamic and ever-changing marketplace,” said Herring.

Highlighting the twelve-month experience was a two-day faculty showcase hosted in partnership with PROPEL Center’s founding sponsor Apple. At the end of May, in Austin, Texas, the HFFA spotlighted the cohort’s achievements and demonstrated how faculty members plan to integrate learning science principles, Apple technology, and the PROPEL Center leadership model to enhance learning outcomes at their respective institutions.

HFFA has achieved notable success. Following their participation in the program, 100% of the fellows reported an increase in their professional network, expanding their community across the HBCU ecosystem. Additionally, 100% of faculty fellows are preparing to integrate Apple technology into their classrooms, which will result in thousands of students benefiting from the enhanced teaching skills of the cohort.

The academy’s curriculum is designed by industry experts, HBCU faculty, and notable workforce collaborators, ensuring relevance and an innovative and personalized professional development experience. “The program’s curriculum design and delivery incorporate learning science principles that account for the unique learning needs of neurodiverse and culturally diverse learners,” said PROPEL Center Chief Learning and Innovation Officer Dr. Camesha Whittaker. “The curated learning experience emphasizes active, hands-on activities and challenge-based learning opportunities with a special emphasis placed on educators understanding ways to better support students along a unique learning journey,” said Whittaker.

2023-2024 HHFA Participants

Yaw Adoo, Morris Brown College

Mohit Anand, Miles College

Brody Bluemel, Delaware State University

Tamara Brown Payne, Fort Valley State University 

Claudius Claiborne, Texas Southern University

Monique Earl-Lewis, Morehouse College

Megan Fields, Fort Valley State University

MaKisha Funderburke, Clark Atlanta University 

Patrice W. Glenn Jones, Alabama State University 

William Hanff, University District of Columbia

Andrew Hutchens, Benedict College

Keesha James, Lawson State University

Maurice Johnson, Florida A&M University

Kenya Jones, Clark Atlanta University

Sosanya Jones, Howard University

Ishwari Kunwar, Fort Valley State University

Nancy Linden, Savannah State University

Johnny Lowery, Claflin University

Marisela Martinez-Cola, Morehouse College

Ariana Mbemi, Jackson State University

Ouida McAfee, Coahoma Community College 

Muhsinah Morris, Morehouse College

Christina Muhammad, Morehouse School of Medicine

Steven Onukwull, Bishop State Community College

Charmayne Patterson, Clark Atlanta University 

Sylvester Polk, Bethune-Cookman College

Kimetta Reynolds Hairston, Bowie State University

Detrice Roberts, Jackson State University

Tytianna Rungstaff, Simmons College

Ruth Smith, Bethune-Cookman College

Steven Starks, Clark Atlanta University

Toni Stevens, Spelman College

Adria Welcher, Morehouse College

Avery Williams, Morehouse College