National CHANGE Initiative Supports NCCU Faculty Development and Student Success

North Carolina Central University (NCCU) is one of nine historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) selected to join the Community for HBCU Advancement Through Networked Growth and Excellence (CHANGE) initiative. The national program is led by the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) in partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE).

The initiative is designed to strengthen teaching and learning across participating campuses by providing faculty and staff development at no cost to the university. Funded by TMCF and valued at $240,000, the program gives NCCU educators access to ACUE's evidence-based courses and resources.

"The CHANGE initiative will further strengthen our ability to create transformative learning experiences, support our faculty and staff, and build systems that empower students to thrive from enrollment to graduation," said Laurell Malone, Ed.D., coordinator of NCCU Office of Faculty Professional Development.

Through the CHANGE initiative, NCCU faculty and staff will engage in strategies to improve instruction and student success outcomes, including retention, persistence and graduation rates. The program runs through June 2027 and connects institutions in a collaborative network focused on sharing best practices.

It also includes EmpowerED by TMCF, a component supporting faculty and staff well-being and campus culture.

"This partnership helps strengthen our institutions at the core: in the classroom," said Dr. Harry Williams, president and CEO of TMCF. "Our students deserve access to the best educators in their development journey as the next generation of workforce talent. Together, this strategic partnership produces evidence-based teaching excellence, improved retention and persistence, measurable student gains and so much more."