FMCSA Supports White House Efforts to Engage HBCUs and Other Minority Serving Institutions in Transportation Research

National HBCU Week Conference — Raising the Bar: Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet. September 15–19, 2024, Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia, PA.

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration will join USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg at the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference on September 15–19, 2024, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The conference will feature the sixth annual Career and Recruitment Fair, celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Scholar Program, and feature over 50 sessions and workshops. FMCSA will be present to support the U.S. Department of Transportation’s agency-wide booth presence throughout the week. The conference is sponsored by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through HBCUs.

As an agency of the U.S. Department of Transportation, FMCSA is committed to Secretary Buttigieg’s vision of equity and access as described in the Secretary’s Equity and Access Policy Statement. FMCSA strives to meet its safety mission equitably and provides opportunities to advance that mission through elements such as its grant programs. These programs support roadway safety in all communities and are available and accessible to all who are eligible.

Grants: Funding Increased Equity in Transportation Solutions

FMCSA’s grant programs support Executive Order 14041, Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity Through HBCUs, which calls for breaking down barriers and strengthening the capacity of Minority Institutions of Higher Education (MIHEs) to participate in and benefit from federal programs, including grant and procurement opportunities. FMCSA seeks to increase the number of MIHEs participating in grant programs by engaging with such institutions in person.

Engaging HBCUs, MSIs, and TCUs

Earlier this year, FMCSA joined other representatives from the U.S. Department of Transportation at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) Conference, which consists of 13 HBCUs. At the annual conference, representatives engaged with the Presidents of each university to discuss opportunities regarding grants, research, and acquisitions. FMCSA staff also participated in the CIAA career fair that included an estimated 60,000 attendees.

FMCSA staff at the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association career fair.

In fiscal year 2023, FMCSA participated in 34 career fairs at HBCUs, a 36% increase from FY2022. The agency also attended the South Carolina OneDOT University Transportation Summit last year with seven HBCUs in South Carolina, other USDOT transportation experts and policy makers, and U.S. Representative James E. Clyburn at his eponymous Transportation Center at South Carolina State University.

Left Photo: FMCSA Human Resource Specialists Erica Woodland (left) and Cachea Barringer (right) staffing a table at the event. Right Photo: Congressman James E. Clyburn (left) and FMCSA SC Division Administrator David M. West (right) at the event.

The agency collaborated with Howard University to host an HBCU Funding Opportunities Summit, which brought together FMCSA experts and leaders, university partners and other officials to discuss the latest FMCSA funding opportunities available to HBCUs.

The Howard University Transportation Research Center hosted The FMCSA Eastern Service Center, District of Columbia Division, and Office of Safety Programs. Pictured left to right — Research Engineer Nripendra Pradhan, Research Assistant Kevin Obike, Research Assistant Birat Rijal, Eastern Service Center Regional Field Administrator Taft Kelly (rear), Previous Director, Dr. Noel, Research Assistant Richa Lamsal (front), Director Dr. Stephen Arhin (rear), FMCSA Office Director Office of Safety Programs Patrick Nemons, Assistant Professor Dr. Sami Hasnine, Eastern Service Center State Programs Manager Richard Johnson, Research Assistant Daud Hridoy, Research Assistant Nishat Meghna, and Research Assistant Oliva Rivas. (Pictures Courtesy of State Program Specialist Bernard McWay of the District of Columbia Division)

FMCSA supports the U.S. Department of Transportation’s efforts that emerge through USDOT employees who are HBCU alumni that have a personal and professional appreciation for the often-untapped human capital produced by these institutions — talent and potential that can be an invaluable asset to — as it seeks to be more inclusive in its policy development, research, and technological innovations designed to serve an increasingly diverse population.

Join FMCSA at the Career Fair portion of HBCU by registering here.