Martinsville High School and New College Institute Host HBCU College Fair
MARTINSVILLE, VA – Martinsville High School, in partnership with the New College Institute, co-sponsored an HBCU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) College Fair in Martinsville, VA. The event was on Tuesday, December 7 at the New College Institute. “The purpose of the college fair was to bring awareness of HBCUs and encourage students to consider applying to them,” stated Marcia Hairston, Senior School Counselor at MHS. “NCI is committed to supporting collaborative initiatives and programs aimed at ensuring educational access and opportunities for all,” added Margaret Omwenga, Chief Program Officer at NCI.
The HBCU College Fair was an excellent opportunity to educate students and the community about our diverse Historical Black Colleges and Universities. An estimated 150 people attended the event, including students from Bassett High, Magna Vista High, Martinsville High, George Washington High, Averett University in Danville, Dan River High, Tunstall High, and some middle school students.
Participating HBCUs included Bennett College, Elizabeth City State University, Livingstone College, North Carolina Central University, Saint Augustine’s University, Virginia Union University, and Winston-Salem State University. Also attending were United States Army recruiters, GRASP – Great Aspirations Scholarship Program, Inc., the Virginia Space Grant Consortium, and the Virginia Commonwealth STEM Industry Internship Program (CSIIP).
Other participating organizations included local chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc., and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., all members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council, collectively referred to as the Divine Nine.
“It was such a great night for Martinsville Henry County,” remarked Chris McDonald, NCI Coordinator of Student Engagement. “HBCU representatives from across the region participated in the college fair, as well as local Divine Nine fraternities and sororities. It’s such a joy to be able to host an event celebrating diversity and highlighting the education that historically black institutions have to offer.” NCI and MHS continue to collaborate in the development of educational events and career outreach programs to benefit the Martinsville area student community.
