Latest news with #NorthCarolinaA&T
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
North Carolina A&T State University provides biotechnology resources for teachers in the Triad
GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) — It's called the Amgen Biotech Experience and for a number of teachers across the Piedmont, it could be the key to helping their students learn all about biotechnology. They have come to North Carolina A&T State University for two days of intensive training on how to better help their students learn all about bio-tech and how to use it in their classroom lessons. That includes online learning, resources and contacts that show how the procedures they are learning now are applied in real life. According to North Carolina A&T Associate Professor of Biology Dr. Misty Thomas, 'We then split half of our time in the actual lab. So, we ran all our teachers through all the protocols, all the experiments that they would be doing with their students. And we also make sure that in the lab, they have all the exact materials they're going to have in their classroom. So that way then they've touched everything. They've played with everything. They've gone through all of the labs, so they're better prepared to then take it into their classroom.' The university has also put together lab kits with everything the teachers will need to conduct experiments in their own classrooms. 'They can borrow the kit for three weeks, take it with them, do all their labs, and they give it back to us. We turn the kit over, and then we give it to a new teacher. So they're constantly going out week after week,' says Dr. Thomas. For the teachers, it is an incredible resource. This will be the third year Kimberly Griffis has used the program in her classroom. She says her students love it. 'The great thing about it is they get excited about science,' says Griffis. 'You have scholars who might not be so excited about it at first. But when you implement hands-on activities in the classroom, they get so excited, and they look forward to coming to school every day because they don't know what's going to happen in the classroom with science. And so when they're able to pretend to be a forensic science or crime scene investigator or just a scientist or a lab technician, they get so excited they learn how to collaborate with one another and work together in teams.' She says the lab kits are so versatile, they can be incorporated for use in many different subjects. According to Griffis, 'It's amazing because you're even with the pop heading when we do the DNA activity, you could do multiplication with it. You can do addition with it. So, you can incorporate math and all that. We've even used this program to do a crime scene unit at our school, where we set up the crime scene and they had to figure out who committed the crime. We involved our community resources, such as the Greensboro CSI police, you know, with the Police Department. They came to our school, they talked about how they solve crimes and they did the fingerprinting and stuff.' The best part of all, according to NC A&T Biology Professor Dr. Joseph Lewis Graves, Jr., the program and training is entirely free. 'We provide them not only the professional equipment, but all of the training and all the supplies are paid for through the Amgen award. So none of this comes out of their pocket and we can reimburse them for their time being trained to be able to deliver this material to their kids,' he said. Dr. Graves sees this partnership only growing with time. 'What we want is for these kids, when they go through their training in the public schools, we want them to consider coming to us as students,' he said. 'So, we're engaged in North Carolina. We want to keep North Carolina kids in North Carolina schools and we want people to understand that North Carolina A&T is one of the research powerhouses in the state of North Carolina.' Growing promising scientists from kindergarten on, one science project at a time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU Olympian Returns to Elite Form in First Race Back
Randolph Ross wasted no time making an impact. In his first race after a three-year suspension, the former HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist from North Carolina A&T ran 45.41 seconds in the men's 400 meters at the Meeting International de Marseille. He finished second behind fellow American Demarius Smith, who won with a personal best of 45.19. The performance was a strong return. While it wasn't close to Ross's personal best of 43.85-one of the fastest 400-meter times in history-it was enough to turn heads. His time ranked among the top 25 by an American this season and showed he still belongs on the track. The race marked more than just a finish line. It was a test of whether Ross still had the speed and mindset that once made him a rising star. After missing three years due to a ban for whereabouts failures and tampering, Ross is back-and still competitive. He continued to train, though restrictions prevented him from working with USATF-affiliated coaches or athletes. One exception allowed him to continue training with his father due to their family connection. Now that he can, the 24-year-old HBCU athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist aims to rebuild his career. Ross opened his return in Marseille, and if he competes again this summer, strong results could help reopen doors to national and international competition. His story continues to resonate, especially in the HBCU sports world. North Carolina A&T helped develop Ross into a world-class sprinter. His father, Olympian Duane Ross, guided him through college and still supports his training. That foundation helped Randolph become an NCAA champion, an Olympian, and one of the brightest prospects in American track. Now, after years away, he's working to prove that one mistake does not define a career. The early signs are encouraging. And if Marseille was any indication, Randolph Ross's comeback may just be getting started. The post HBCU Olympian Returns to Elite Form in First Race Back appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist Returns After Three-Year Ban
After three years away from competition, Randolph Ross is set to return to the track. The former HBCU standout and Olympic Gold Medalist from North Carolina A&T will compete in the men's 400 meters on Sunday at the Meeting International de Marseille in France. The event is part of the World Athletics Continental Tour (bronze level) and marks his first race since receiving a suspension in 2022. Ross, now 24, was once one of the brightest young talents in American track. While competing for North Carolina A&T, he became a two-time NCAA champion and helped the United States win gold in the 4×400-meter relay at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. He trained under his father, former Olympian Duane Ross, and together they turned A&T into one of the most dominant HBCU track programs in history. That success came to an abrupt stop in July 2022. The Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) suspended Ross just before the World Championships in Oregon. The reason: three "whereabouts failures" within a 12-month span. These failures meant that officials were unable to locate him for required drug testing. Later that year, the AIU made the suspension official. Randolph Ross was banned for three years, and the penalty included an added charge of "tampering." During the investigation, he admitted to altering the date on a confirmation email related to his testing location. This misstep, while not a failed drug test, was treated as a serious violation. In an interview with Track & Field News, Ross accepted full responsibility. "The whole thing came down to being my fault," he said. However, he also expressed concern about how heavily administrative errors were punished. Ross explained that the missed tests occurred during a hectic period of his life. He competed at nationals, moved from North Carolina to Tennessee, and was preparing to transfer schools. The first missed test happened in April 2022, when Ross forgot to update his location ahead of a meet in Gainesville, Florida. The second came during the NCAA Championships in Eugene, Oregon, where he defended his 400m title. Ross argued that anti-doping officials could have located him at the meet, but noted that the rules still required formal updates through an app. The third failure was more complex. Randolph Ross had moved to Knoxville, Tennessee, but the AIU still visited his old address in Greensboro. While USADA had updated information, the AIU did not. In an attempt to explain the mix-up, Ross submitted a screenshot of an automatically generated email, but changed the date on it. That change triggered the tampering charge. The AIU treated the missed tests and altered email as a single violation. Because Ross admitted fault and cooperated fully, the original four-year penalty was reduced to three. Still, the ban had significant consequences. Ross lost his spot on the U.S. team, his college eligibility, and a likely professional contract. He also missed the chance to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. During his suspension, Ross completed his finance degree at North Carolina A&T and began studying for a real estate license. He continued to train, though restrictions prevented him from working with USATF-affiliated coaches or athletes. One exception allowed him to continue training with his father due to their family connection. Now, as of July 1, Ross is eligible to compete again. Sunday's race in Marseille will be his first test back. The result will be closely watched-not just because of the controversy that preceded it, but because of what it represents: the return of an HBCU athlete who once ran one of the fastest 400m times in history, and appeared poised for global stardom. The post HBCU Olympic Gold Medalist Returns After Three-Year Ban appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
NBA HBCU Classic part of elevated platform for CAA programs
GREENSBORO, NC - The 2026 NBA HBCU Classic will feature a matchup that's both familiar and groundbreaking: a Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) clash between Hampton University and North Carolina A&T. For the first time in the event's five-year history, a regular conference rivalry game will represent the CAA, affirming the space both HBCUs have carved out in their new league-and the national exposure that continues to follow. A New Chapter in an HBCU Tradition Traditionally, the NBA HBCU Classic has featured games between historic HBCU conference rivals: Morgan State vs. Howard (MEAC), Southern vs. Grambling State (SWAC), Winston-Salem State vs. Virginia Union (CIAA), and Tuskegee vs. Morehouse (SIAC). Hampton and North Carolina A&T now continue that legacy while introducing a new chapter under the CAA banner. "We are overjoyed to have North Carolina A&T State University and Hampton University competing in the NBA HBCU Classic," said Amber Scott, Director of Social Impact and Inclusion at the NBA. "Yes, it's about the on-court play. It's about the rivalries, right? But the thing that's so special to me is all of the off-court development." Increased Exposure for HBCUs in the CAA This year's Classic, set for Los Angeles during NBA All-Star Weekend, offers more than a basketball showcase. It highlights how North Carolina A&T and Hampton have expanded the visibility and reach of HBCUs within the CAA. Since joining the conference, both schools have tapped into national TV deals and elevated their brands in ways that were previously out of reach. North Carolina A&T recently launched a regional linear TV deal, bringing its football and basketball programs into more homes. "The local linear is a big deal for us," said A&T Director of Athletics Earl Hilton. "It's been a fantastic arrangement for us to be able to broadcast football and basketball games, men's and women's… We got three or four opportunities with CBS and national CBS brand. And certainly this opportunity would be, I think, Peacock, who will be running this game." A Cultural Shift in the CAA CAA Commissioner Joe D'Antonio emphasized the value that North Carolina A&T and Hampton have added to the conference-on and off the court. "We were focused on institutions that are committed at the highest level of academics… institutions that are committed to overall well-being of the student-athletes," D'Antonio said. "And I couldn't be happier with what we found with North Carolina A&T and Hampton." The HBCU cultural experience has also enriched the CAA. "Layer that on top of the unbelievable HBCU tradition that they've brought to the conference-whether it be through their cheer and spirit squad, whether it be through their bands," D'Antonio added. "CAA had not had an opportunity to experience those type of things, and those have also been an extremely well-received addition." A Long-Term Vision Realized The opportunity for North Carolina A&T to participate in the NBA HBCU Classic didn't materialize overnight. "If my memory serves, this is something we've been working on for about 18 months," Hilton said. "We had some conversations last year and then couldn't make it work with our schedule… so excited to be able to work on it and get things lined out in a way that it's going to line up perfectly for us and for Hampton." Preparing Student-Athletes for More Than the Game Beyond competition, the NBA HBCU Classic includes a full week of career development and networking for participating players. Students from North Carolina A&T and Hampton will attend workshops, meet NBA All-Stars, and build skills to strengthen their off-court futures. "Our hope is that we're pouring into the students off the court in addition to helping them with their on-court development," Scott said. A New Rivalry, A National Stage As the CAA continues to expand and evolve, North Carolina A&T and Hampton are not just participating-they are setting the pace. With national platforms like CBS and Peacock and events like the NBA HBCU Classic, these two HBCUs are helping redefine what it means to thrive in a new era of college athletics. And with the spotlight of NBA All-Star Weekend shining on this rising rivalry, both programs aim to raise their visibility-and the visibility of all HBCUs-on the national stage. The post NBA HBCU Classic part of elevated platform for CAA programs appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
North Carolina A&T makes historic coaching hire
The post North Carolina A&T makes historic coaching hire appeared first on ClutchPoints. North Carolina A&T has made a historic hire that looks to further grow the trajectory of their golf program. The institution announced Tuesday the hiring of Mesha Levister as the new director of both the men's and women's golf programs. With the hire, Levister becomes the first female head coach of a men's varsity sport at A&T and the first woman to lead the women's golf program. Advertisement 'I am excited to, first off, be coming back to my great home state,' Levister said in a statement. 'That's always the first thing in mind, to be close to family and close to friends and in a great place – the Triad area. The Triad area is a great place for golf, too, so in all honesty, I'm honored and incredibly excited to join North Carolina A&T.' North Carolina A&T Director of Athletics Earl M. Hilton III also commented on her hire, saying, 'Mesha Levister has established herself as a pioneer throughout her life and certainly in the world of golf. We look forward to having her join our team in Aggie Athletics. She knows golf, the area, and is passionate about academic and athletic accomplishments.' Levister's resume boasts a remarkable legacy in the golfing world. From starting her career at North Carolina Central as the lone female on the men's golf team and later serving as a coach, to earning the 2004 Virginia Women's Amateur title as the first African American to achieve the feat, Levister has consistently broken boundaries. After turning professional in 2006, she spent three seasons on the LPGA Futures Tour (now the Epson Tour), competing globally and securing multiple top-10 finishes. She transitioned to coaching with notable success. During a three-year stint at Prairie View A&M University (2022-2025), Levister earned SWAC Women's Golf Coach of the Year honors in 2023 and led her teams to significant academic and athletic achievements. Her tenure there saw nine players receive All-SWAC honors while maintaining a high standard in academics, with the men's team consistently achieving a GPA of 3.1 or higher. Related: Six HBCUs partner to create first virtual university Related: David Banner and other notable alumni of Southern University
