Latest news with #VirginiaStateUniversity
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Hands-On Leadership Rewriting the HBCU Athletics Playbook
For Tiffani-Dawn Sykes, returning to Virginia State University isn't just a new chapter - it's a full-circle moment that began as an HBCU student-athlete walking the same campus halls. "It's amazing to be home. It's really a full circle moment for me," she said at CIAA Media Day. As a freshman, Sykes saw something powerful: a Black woman leading athletics - Alfreeda Goff - showing her that this career was possible. "I knew I could work in college athletics because… Alfreeda Goff was a Black woman who was the athletics director there." Now, Sykes holds the same seat of power, building on the foundation laid by Goff and her predecessor, longtime AD Peggy Davis. "Being in her footsteps - and following Peggy Davis, my predecessor - is really special." The Trojans came heartbreakingly close to a CIAA title last season. There's no dancing around the goal this year - it's championship or bust. Sykes put two players on the spot at an alumni event ahead of CIAA Media Day. "I asked Donovan, 'What can Trojan fans look forward to?' He said, 'A championship, Bruno said [he's] most looking forward to the championship game." Their clarity fuels hers. "My expectations are their expectations - we're back in Durham to end our season in the championship game and then go on to the NCAA playoffs." The message is loud and clear: this program isn't just competing - it's coming to win. Sykes doesn't just lead Athletics at Virginia State University - she lives it. Whether taking photos with championship teams or pulling up to away games, she's everywhere her student-athletes are. "I can't be an armchair AD. I need to be involved," she said. For her, presence isn't performance - it's strategy. She knows being hands-on helps uncover gaps, support staff, and elevate the student-athlete experience. "There are things even a coach has blind spots on… Being present lets me say, 'Hey, we can do this differently.'" And that presence builds something just as important as strategy: trust. "Student-athletes and coaches earn trust when they see that you are around the program." Tiffani-Dawn Sykes isn't the only one fully invested. University President Dr. Makola Abdullah is equally immersed - and it's making a difference. "It's awesome to work for a leader like President Abdul - transformational, progressive, and sincerely interested in athletics," Sykes said. His support goes beyond suits and speeches. He asks coaches about their schemes, learns rosters, and shows up. "At one event, he came upstairs and did a chalk talk with some of our coaches. He wants to know, 'What kind of offense do you run? Is defense your thing?" He's all in, and not just for show. "Not just good-looking facilities - he wants the right people leading our young people… and he wants to see what it looks like on film." Trojan alumni have been discussing a move to Division I. Sykes respects the ambition, but she's focused on the program's current state. "There's not a hint from me on moving to Division I… though there is interest from our alumni." With 20 NCAA sports and a growing profile, Virginia State looks like a D1 school in many ways. But that's not the playbook - not yet. "People see our sports profile and think that's a step toward D1. But really, we want to win a national championship in Division II." And to do that, she knows what it takes: strategy, structure, and strong financial backing. "It's my job to bring in more resources and allocate them properly… I want us to have a nationally recognized athletics program. Once we do that, I'll entertain the conversation. But right now, I don't think we're ready." From her legacy-driven return to her sideline presence, Tiffani-Dawn Sykes is building something bigger than a season - she's building a model. If Virginia State lives up to its expectations - and if Sykes gets the buy-in she's working for - this could be the year Trojan athletics doesn't just win, it arrives. The post Hands-On Leadership Rewriting the HBCU Athletics Playbook appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
08-07-2025
- General
- Miami Herald
HBCU debuts new academic building with pool, gym and theatre
Virginia State University, one of the nation's leading HBCU institutions, is preparing to unveil a major addition to its campus-the Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons. This modern, multipurpose facility will soon serve as the new home for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Education. Replacing the demolished Harris Hall and former campus gymnasium, the new academic commons is more than just a classroom building. It will feature a swimming pool, a gymnasium, a fully equipped theatre, and an exhibition gallery, reflecting VSU's commitment to holistic student development-both inside and outside the classroom. The approximately 174,000 square feet building will be the largest on campus. University President Dr. Makola Abdullah emphasized the role the new space will play in supporting student growth at the HBCU. 'The number one thing that we love to see is students learning,' Abdullah said. 'We love to see students chasing their dreams and becoming a better version of themselves so they can go out in the community and make a difference. And we believe VSU-and this building-is going to help them do that.' Faculty and staff are expected to move into the building this August, with classes set to begin there during the spring semester. VSU said it opted for the ribbon-cutting now instead of closer to the beginning of the school year so that members of the Board of Visitors who are rotating off July 1 could take part in the festivities. The Alfred W. Harris Academic Commons is poised to become a cornerstone of academic and cultural life at the historic HBCU. The post HBCU debuts new academic building with pool, gym and theatre appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Miami Herald
17-06-2025
- Science
- Miami Herald
HBCU makes history with NASA
Virginia State University is proud to announce that its College of Engineering and Technology made history at the 2025 NASA Lunabotics Challenge. The VSU Lunabotics Team was the only Historically Black College or University (HBCU) represented in this year's prestigious competition. The event took place from May 20 to May 22 at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It brought together top student teams from across the country to compete in an intensive robotics challenge. A Nationally Recognized Robotics Competition The NASA Lunabotics Challenge is a two-semester systems engineering competition. It invites students to design, build, and operate autonomous robots capable of performing tasks on simulated lunar terrain. Students gain real-world experience in space exploration, robotics, and problem-solving. The program is designed to prepare future engineers for the demands of working in high-tech industries. Dr. Nasser Ghariban, Chair of the Department of Engineering and faculty advisor to the team, said: 'The team's perseverance and collaborative spirit throughout this challenging competition reflect their readiness for real-world engineering challenges. Participating in this competitive NASA event provided invaluable hands-on experience that will significantly benefit their future careers in technology and exploration.' A Team of Innovators and Leaders The VSU Lunabotics Team included 15 students from various academic programs. These included Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Manufacturing Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering Technology. Together, they designed and built a versatile robot that completed all required tasks during the competition. Dr. Dawit Haile, Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, praised the team's performance: 'The strong finish by our Lunabotics team emphasizes their remarkable dedication, innovative thinking, and technical prowess. Their success as the only HBCU team in the competition underscores VSU's commitment to excellence in STEM education.' A Moment of Pride for Virginia State University This milestone showcases the university's dedication to creating opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The team's achievement is a source of pride not just for Virginia State University but for all HBCUs nationwide. VSU applauds the students for their hard work, creativity, and determination. Their success highlights the university's mission to provide transformational learning experiences and prepare students for success in competitive fields. The post HBCU makes history with NASA appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
What students, officials say about VSU appearance as only HBCU in prestigious NASA event
Virginia State University students were the only participants from a Historically Black College or University to compete in the prestigious 2025 NASA Lunabotics Challenge last month, reinforcing VSU's growing reputation in STEM education. From May 20 to 22, 15 students from VSU's College of Engineering and Technology traveled to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to participate in the rigorous two-semester systems engineering competition. The event challenges collegiate teams to design, build, and operate robotic systems capable of performing complex tasks on simulated lunar terrain, preparing them for the realities of space exploration. Thirty-six additional colleges and universities across the country were also selected to participate in the challenge, according to an October 2024 NASA social media post, including the University of Virginia, New York University, Rutgers University, Purdue University, Liberty University and more. 'VSU is incredibly proud of these students for this remarkable achievement and for representing HBCUs nationwide with distinction,' a press release from the university states. 'Their hard work and dedication elevated the University's standing in advanced engineering disciplines and reaffirmed the University's commitment to offering students transformative opportunities for excellence in engineering and computer science.' The press release adds that the VSU team's robot demonstrated versatility and precision in the Lunatics Challenge, successfully completing all required tasks and activities set by NASA. Dr. Nasser Ghariban, Chair of VSU's Department of Engineering and faculty advisor to the Lunabotics team, praised them for their performance at the event. "The team's perseverance and collaborative spirit throughout this challenging competition reflect their readiness for real-world engineering challenges,' he said in the press release. 'Participating in this competitive NASA event provided invaluable hands-on experience that will significantly benefit their future careers in technology and exploration." "The strong finish by our Lunabotics team emphasizes their remarkable dedication, innovative thinking, and technical prowess,' Dr. Dawit Haile, Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology, added in the press release. 'Their success as the only HBCU team in the competition underscores VSU's commitment to excellence in STEM education." For the students that participated, the experience was invaluable. 'Being part of the NASA Lunabotics 2025 competition was honestly one of the most exciting and demanding experiences I have had here in Virginia State University,' Kwabena E. Amoako, VSU computer engineering student and hardware team lead for the challenge, told The Progress-Index. 'We spent countless late nights in the lab, troubleshooting circuits, swapping out components, debugging code, and rebuilding the robot again and again. It really forced us to grow, not just as engineers, but as a team learning how to solve complex problems under pressure.' Petersburg crowd braves rain, joins others across nation in 'No Kings' anti-Trump protests Amoako added that representing VSU on a national stage became especially meaningful to him on the day of the event, when he realized his team was the only one from an HBCU. 'In that moment, it wasn't just about building a robot anymore. It felt way bigger. We were showing that students from HBCUs can go head-to-head with anyone, anywhere, and hold our own,' he said. 'I felt proud, but also a sense of responsibility. It made me want to give 110%, not just for myself or my team, but for every student out there who might think these kinds of opportunities aren't for them. Because they are.' Christopher Payne, a computer science graduate student at VSU and fellow team member, agreed. "Representing VSU, an HBCU, on a national stage was very important to me," he said. 'Our selection for this competition demonstrated the quality of work and exceptional opportunities that minority-serving institutions continue to produce, further proving the importance of funding and support for our country's HBCUs and minority-serving institutions." Got outdoor activities planned for Juneteenth? Forecasters predict dicey weather This article originally appeared on The Progress-Index: Virginia State University only HBCU chosen for 2025 NASA challenge
Miami Herald
18-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Miami Herald
HBCU Graduation flexes with Boots on the Ground dance
Virginia State University's 2025 commencement ceremonies turned into unforgettable celebrations of HBCU culture and unity on Saturday as graduates in both ceremonies broke into the viral "Boots on the Ground" dance-sparked by a surprise moment led by VSU President Dr. Makola M. Abdullah. The university held two commencement exercises inside the VSU Multipurpose Center. The morning ceremony at 8:30 a.m. honored graduates from the College of Education and the College of Humanities & Social Sciences. The afternoon ceremony at 1:30 p.m. celebrated those graduating from the College of Agriculture, College of Engineering & Technology, College of Natural & Health Sciences, and the Reginald F. Lewis College of Business. In both ceremonies, just after the turning of the tassels and before students crossed the stage, President Abdullah invited graduates to look beneath their seats. There, they found handheld fans-placed intentionally as a nod to the popular lyric from 803Fresh's hit: "Where them fans at?" What made the moment even more adorable on the livestream of the event was the sign language interpreter getting in on the action and dancing on screen. President Abdullah encouraged the new HBCU graduates to dance along or simply enjoy the moment. As the beat dropped, students erupted into movement, clapping the fans in rhythm and performing the viral "Boots on the Ground" dance. The celebratory interlude lasted about 1 minute and 20 seconds, capturing the joy, pride, and cultural richness of the VSU Class of 2025. The post HBCU Graduation flexes with Boots on the Ground dance appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
