PR2015 Mar 6

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 6, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Jill Swindle, 205.391.5823

jswindle@sheltonstate.edu

Deputy Director for the White House Initiative on

Historically Black Colleges and Universities to visit Shelton State

Tuscaloosa, AL – Dr. Ivory A. Toldson, Deputy Director for the White House Initiative on

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), will visit Shelton State Community

College on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 and Wednesday, March 11, 2015. Joining Dr. Toldson will

be Morgan Curry, Jeraun Pogue, and Justin Wells - three local college students currently serving

as HBCU All-Stars.

In addition to serving as Deputy Director for the Initiative, Dr. Toldson is an associate professor

at Howard University, senior research analyst for the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation,

and editor-in-chief of "The Journal of Negro Education." He is the author of "The Breaking

Barriers Series," which analyzes academic success indicators from national surveys that together

give voice to more than 10,000 black male pupils from schools across the country. In addition,

he is the co-editor of the book, “Black Male Teachers: Diversifying the Nation’s Teacher

Workforce” and the author of the novel, “Black Sheep.” Through his consulting firm, CREATE,

LLC, he routinely works with schools to increase their capacity to promote academic success

among black students.

HBCU All-Stars serve as ambassadors of the White House Initiative on HBCUs by providing

outreach and communication with their fellow students about the value of education and the

Initiative as a networking resource. They have participated in regional events and web chats

with Dr. Toldson and other Initiative staff, and have engaged with other scholars to showcase

individual and collective talent across the HBCU community.

“Building a foundation for our students goes far beyond the classroom experience,” said Shelton

State Community College President, Dr. Andrea Mayfield. “By meeting with Dr. Toldson and

the HBCU All-Stars, our students have an opportunity to not only engage with current and future

leaders, but to also be inspired by their accomplishments.”

The West Alabama community is invited to join Dr. Toldson and the HBCU All-Stars for a firsthand

account of the White House Initiative and its educational benefits. “Community Meet and

Greet” sessions will be held on the C.A. Fredd Campus on Tuesday, March 10, 2015 at 2:00 p.m.

and on the Martin Campus on Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at 7:30 a.m. All are invited and

admission is free.