November 13, 2018
The following article is from Charlotte Raleigh City Biz List
Honors students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) around the country will convene to celebrate the 27th Annual Conference of the National Association of African-American Honors Programs (NAAAHP). Hosted by Livingstone College, the event is scheduled from Wednesday, November 14 through Saturday, November 16, 2018 at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, North Carolina.
This year's theme, Energizing Exceptional Minds for Extraordinary Excellence will assemble over 400 of the nation's top Honors students, granting them an opportunity to contend in academic competitions such as quiz bowl, debate, Model African Union, oratorical contests, scholarly research presentations, community service projects, and networking and professional development opportunities. Moreover, with sponsorships from companies such as Georgia Pacific (Bronze Level Sponsor), ARMY ROTC (Community Level Sponsor), and Goldman Sachs (Faculty Round-table), registrants will partake in professional seminars and gain exposure to post-undergraduate career options on Friday, November 16, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. – 12 noon with a Graduate School and Career Fair. Honors faculty and staff will participate in professional development opportunities that promote leadership skills, student-retention, curriculum development, teaching and learning pedagogies and best practices in Honors with faculty presentations and PERSIST, an instructional workshop facilitated by Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC). Additionally, the Conference has drawn area support with Cheerwine, Hotwire Communications, and the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Churches of the Salisbury District.
Under the leadership of Livingstone College faculty Dr. Da'Tarvia Parrish who serves as the organization's president, NAAAHP is granting Rowan-Salisbury Schools and Cabarrus County Public Schools complimentary attendance to the Fair, in an effort to promote Teacher Education recruitment amongst the top students of the nation. When asked about Livingstone College serving as a leader in this event, Dr. Parrish stated, "I know I am extremely blessed to serve in this capacity and position Livingstone College as a forerunner in the modern history of this organization. When I think of Livingstone's antiquity and how instrumental persons like James Walker Hood was to the field of education, especially in the state of North Carolina, I am empowered to tread uncharted territory for the betterment of the academy and professional leadership."
NAAAHP began in May 1990 to promote the continued empowerment of HBCU Honors students though enhanced cognitive and effective experiences. Today, the organization serves the Honors Colleges and Programs of over 60 HBCUs/MSIs member institutions.
Livingstone College was founded as Zion Wesley Institute by a group of A.M.E. Zion ministers for the purpose of training ministers in the Cabarrus County town of Concord, North Carolina in 1879. It is a private historically black, four-year college located in Salisbury, North Carolina that is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges. Currently, it enrolls approximately 1,200 students and awards degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Social Work. For more information on the NAAAHP conference, visit the website, https://www.naaahp.org.