By Tedro R. Rouse 

AREA SCHOOLS TO HOST NATIONAL SPONSORED PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATORS ALLIANCE (NSPAA)

OF HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES (HBCUs) CONFERENCE

ORANGEBURG - Claflin University, SC State University, & Voorhees College will play hosts to the National Sponsored Programs Administrators Alliance (NSPAA) of Historically Black Colleges and Universities’ (HBCUs) 13^th Annual Conference. The conference is scheduled for June 13 – 16, 2007 in Charleston / Mt. Pleasant, SC at the Holiday Inn Patriots Point. 

The conference brings together professionals in research, research administration and sponsored programs management at HBCUs across the country, as well as funders, trainers and government representatives at all levels.  “This four-day training conference promises to provide a wide array of timely offerings in areas of great significance to sponsored program administrators, research faculty, grants managers and others at HBCUs, as we strive to improve our competitive edge in the expanding global marketplace,” says NSPAA of HBCUs President, Paula R.D. Shaw of Norfolk State University.   

Conference attendees will learn about available funding and ideas for program development, engage in networking with government agencies, private sponsors and faculty and staff of other institutions, enhance knowledge of pre- and post-award functions, including compliance and gain insight on positioning institutions to win and realize maximum benefits from extramural funding.  Among the confirmed presenters are Dr. Thomas Windham, formerly of the National Science Foundation, Mr. Dalton Stubbs of Congressman James Clyburn’s Office, and representatives from the Oakridge and Savannah River Research Laboratories.

As highlights of this year’s conference, Dr.Henry N. Tisdale, President of Claflin University and Dr. Andrew Hugine, Jr., President of SC State University, will bring keynote addresses to this varied audience of Sponsored Programs Administrators, Researchers, and Governmental Agencies as two of the three college host presidents.  In addition, there will be featured entertainment provided by students from Claflin University, with the musical sounds of “Free Verse,” a group of talented young instrumentalists and by SC State University’s well-known vocalist Kristen Allen. 

According to NSPAA of HBCUs Board Member & Interim Assistant Vice President of Sponsored Programs at SC State University, Mr. Elbert Malone, Charleston is the ideal place for professional training and networking and will provide opportunties for unique cultural and historical discoveries in the Low Country.

The conference registration cost is $600.00 per person onsite.  For additional information on the conference, contact Mr. Tedro R. Rouse, SC State University, Conference Marketing & Registration Chairperson at (803) 516-4970 or via e-mail at trouse@scsu.edu or Ms. Veronica Goodman, NSPAA of HBCUs President-Elect (2007-2009) & Director of Governmental Relations and Sponsored Programs at Claflin University, at (803) 535-5544 or via e-mail at vgoodman@claflin.edu.