Rep. Carter brings funds to state to increase STEM education
28th March 2022 · 0 Comments
By Tyana Jackson
Contributing Writer
As part of a national effort to bolster historically Black universities and colleges for another century, Louisiana Congressman Troy Carter, an alumnus of Xavier University of Louisiana, is lobbying to direct federal dollars to keep Black educational institutions running.
As part of a larger Community Funding Project, which is a $17.5 million government package, the federal aid will provide financial assistance to seven different projects in Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional District.
This funding will go directly to the community to increase mental health services, continue public health research and build an athletic venue in the New Orleans Ninth Ward. It will also upgrade parks and student services at Xavier, including the remodeling of St. Michael’s residence hall into a STEM learning center which previously was a place of refuge for the Freedom Riders in 1963.
“The $2.5 million in funding that I secured in Congress will be used to renovate St. Michael’s, an on-campus residence hall for first-year students,” Carter said in a statement.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of these fields now more than ever, and this center will better support students navigating majors and careers in the healthcare, science or technology sectors. I want to make sure that students in these fields have the support they need to graduate and thrive,” Carter said.
Xavier University President Dr. Reynold Verret said that the funding will go a long way in supporting the institution’s efforts to continue producing top-quality medical professionals.
“We have been quietly working and pushing forward but this is Xavier’s time. We are changing lives, and this is the kind of support we need to continue providing quality education to our students and assisting them in securing opportunities for their futures,” said Verret.
Xavier continues to rank at the top of lists for leading institutions in educating African Americans in STEM and health sciences fields. The school also ranks at the top for the highest economic mobility for its graduates.
“I envision this award being transformative not only for Xavier students who are interested in health careers but also the state of Louisiana and the entire nation. For far too long, the Black community has been severely underrepresented in the physician workforce, as well as other health professions and STEM fields,” said Quo Vadis M. Webster, the director of Xavier’s premedical program. “The funds designated by Congressman Carter could help to reduce some of the barriers that students face on the road to becoming physicians and leaders in other health careers and biomedical science disciplines,” Webster said.
Health disparities between Black and white Americans have been exacerbated during the pandemic. Historically, Black students were not allowed to attend medical schools in the south. HBCUs were one of the first spaces in preparing physicians in the South and continue to lead in the preparation of future doctors today.
“There are also so many possibilities with the renovation because they could create a STEM library, which has the potential to be really impactful because we currently only have one library on campus,” said Morgan Banks, a first-year, biology pre-medicine major with a chemistry minor. “I think everyone will be excited to be in a newly renovated space and everyone’s morale will be boosted because it shows the community supporting our education.”
The investment into this institution follows after Xavier was recognized this year as the highest performing HBCU for the return on investment its graduates receive, ranking number three in the state among all higher education institutions.
“As a proud XULA alumnus, I try to keep my ear close to the ground on the ways that my office can best support Xavier in its efforts to better serve its students and the wider New Orleans community,” Carter said.
“In policymaking, we often talk about ‘grow your own’ programs – efforts to foster and train professionals in high-demand, good-paying jobs that serve our community right here in the community. Creating an on-campus STEM and pre-health advising center to encourage students right here in Louisiana to enter healthcare and STEM fields could help us achieve a type of ‘grow-your-own’ program,” the congressman said.
This article originally published in the March 28, 2022 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
