Congresswoman Ross Visits Shaw University to Highlight Benefits of Biden’s Agenda

Raleigh, NC – Congresswoman Deborah Ross (NC-02) made a series of stops across Wake County recently, including visits to East Garner Elementary School and Shaw University. The Congresswoman spoke with constituents about the President’s proposed American Families Plan and the American Rescue Plan, a COVID-19 relief package that was signed into law. (Please scroll down for a full gallery recap of the visit.)

Congresswoman Ross said, “I was also pleased to visit Shaw University and highlight the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act and the investments the American Rescue Plan makes in our HBCUs. These historic institutions have always been agents of equity, access, and excellence in education, especially for Black students. I will continue to work in Congress and with the Administration to ensure they receive the resources they deserve.”

During Rep. Ross’s visit to Shaw University, Shaw University President Dr. Paulette Dillard escorted Ross on a campus tour, focusing on Roberts Science Hall and Tupper Hall. They discussed the Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology, and Education for (IGNITE) HBCU Excellence Act and President Biden’s American Rescue Plan, and The American Families Plan. Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, Shaw received over $5 million dollars.

Rep. Ross attended a roundtable with Dr. Dillard and university leaders to discuss federal initiatives and funding opportunities for HBCUs. Shaw University leaders participating in the roundtable were:

Dr. Renata Dusenbury, VP of Academic Affairs
Dr. Valerie Johnson, Dean Arts, Sciences, and Humanities
Dr. Lynette Wood, Dean Business and Professional Studies
Kevin Sullivan, VP Real Estate and Strategic Development
David Alexander, Chief Information Officer
David Byrd, VP Finance and Administration
Terrence Dixon, VP Enrollment Management and Student Success

The American Families Plan includes a $39 billion program that provides two years of subsidized tuition for students from families earning less than $125,000 enrolled in a four-year HBCU, TCU, or MSI. The President is also calling for $5 billion to expand existing institutional aid grants to HBCUs, TCUs, and MSIs, which can be used by these institutions to strengthen their academic, administrative, and fiscal capabilities, including by creating or expanding educational programs in high-demand fields.

Rep. Ross highlighted the American Families Plan’s provisions to reduce food hardship among schoolchildren and help their families make ends meet. In North Carolina, 20% of children live in food-insecure households. The American Families Plan will ensure that the nutritional needs of North Carolina’s children are met by expanding access to free school meals to an additional 283,000 students and providing 903,000 students with resources to purchase food over the summer. The American Families Plan also invests in teachers to improve teacher preparation and strengthen pipelines for teachers of color.