Birmingham, Ala. - Governor Kay Ivey announced in Birmingham the creation of the Alabama HBCU Co-Op Pilot Program at the inaugural Alabama HBCU Competitiveness Convening.
“Alabama is home to the largest number of HBCUs in the nation, and consistently produces some of the most talented professionals in the world. The Alabama HBCU Co-Op Pilot Program will provide students with the opportunity for hands-on work experience in STEM fields and allow for greater collaboration between Alabama’s HBCUs, top companies across Alabama, the state of Alabama and the federal government,” said Ivey. “Our HBCUs are important to the community and our economy, and we must do all we can to support their success, especially as we work to build a highly skilled workforce.”
The Alabama HBCU Initiative created the program and incorporated it into Ivey’s Strong Start, Strong Finish education Initiative.
The program will require students who participate to complete three co-op semesters to gain professional experience in their majors. Students who complete the program will earn a certificate of completion.
According to a press release from the governor’s office, students must be at least 18 years old, enrolled in one of the state’s 14 HBCUs and must have completed their first year of study at their university as some of the criteria.
“HBCUs serve as a leader in graduating minority students, especially in the areas of STEM. Because of this, combined with the economic growth in Alabama’s tech, aerospace and automotive industries, the time is ripe for a conversation to align the priorities of Alabama’s HBCUs with those of the state’s private and public sectors, as well as with the federal government. Crafting a sustainable strategy will help ensure HBCU competitiveness,” said Nichelle Nix, director of the governor’s office of minority affairs.
