East Texas A&M Faculty Member Awarded National Grant to Research HBCU Homecomings

Hand stacking blocks. One block says "Grant Funding."

Dr. Leslie Ekpe, assistant professor in the Department of Higher Education and Learning Technologies at East Texas A&M University, has been awarded a $5,000 Channing Briggs Small Research Grant by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Foundation to support her project titled “Tell Me Something Good: Alumni Reconnections at HBCU Homecomings.”

The research focuses on the experiences of alumni from 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), examining how homecoming events contribute to ongoing alumni engagement and the long-term sustainability of campus traditions. The project will be presented in a documentary format to highlight the cultural significance and community-building aspects of these gatherings.

The Channing Briggs Small Research Grant is designed to fund innovative studies that align with NASPA's mission to advance the student affairs profession. Grants are awarded based on the clarity of the proposal, the relevance to student affairs and the potential impact on the field.

Ekpe serves as the primary investigator for the study, reflecting a commitment to documenting and analyzing the influence of alumni engagement in higher education settings.

To learn more about the research taking place at East Texas A&M, visit the Division of Research and Economic Development.

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