Alabama State University News

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ASU Receives $99,000 Grant to Protect Its Treasured Archives​

ASU Receives $99,000 Grant to Protect Its Treasured Archives

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At the heart of Alabama State University's campus lies the Levi Watkins Learning Center (LWLC), a place rich with history and culture. This important center has received exciting news: it has been awarded a $99,000 grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). This funding is part of a special program supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and African American museums, aimed at preserving their invaluable collections.

“ASU is one of eight Historically Black Colleges and Universities to receive funding from its Museum Grants for African American History and Culture (AAHC) program,” noted Dr. Janice Franklin, dean of the Levi Watkins Learning Center.

The grant will help the LWLC prepare for emergencies that could threaten its archives. Leading this effort is Raegan C. Stearns, the University’s dedicated archivist and principal investigator for the proposal titled “Disaster Planning in the Alabama State University Archives.” The grant will help LWLC update its disaster response initiative, create emergency kits, and train staff to save materials after any unexpected events, such as floods and fires.

 

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ASU Graduate Student Triumphs at National STEM Competition​

ASU Graduate Student Triumphs at National STEM Competition

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Christina Harris, a dedicated forensic science master’s student at Alabama State University, has won first place in the graduate-level oral presentation category at the prestigious Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference. Held from March 19 to 21, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia, the event gathered top young scientists from across the nation.

Harris, who previously earned a double major in Forensic Biology and Forensic Chemistry at ASU, impressed judges with her research on thanatomicrobiome — the community of microbes present after death — in substance abuse disorder cases. She analyzed postmortem tissues from 20 overdose deaths compared to 20 non-overdose cases, using samples from the University of Pavia, Italy. Her work sheds light on complex biological processes with implications for forensic investigations.

Prof. Gulnaz Javan, coordinator of ASU’s forensic biology program and Christina’s faculty advisor, expressed immense pride: “Christina continues to help ASU and our forensic program shine on a national level.”

 

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ASU Receives $50,000 from Hyundai’s ‘Genesis Gives’ to Fuel STEM Education​

ASU Receives $50,000 from Hyundai’s ‘Genesis Gives’ to Fuel STEM Education

www.alasu.edu

In Montgomery, Alabama, a remarkable partnership is shaping the future of engineering education. On Thursday, May 5, 2026, Alabama State University received a $50,000 donation from Hyundai’s Genesis Gives program to advance STEM education and support the University’s Mechanical Engineering program and its STEM summer program.

“On behalf of Alabama State University, we thank Genesis and Hyundai for their contributions to Alabama State University and all the things they are doing to help our engineering program and O’ Mother Dear move forward,” said Jimmy Morris, Jr., chairman of the ASU Foundation Board.

Morris also expressed gratitude to Genesis and Hyundai for their ongoing commitment to the University’s growth.

Dr. Willie S. Rockward, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, highlighted how Hyundai's donation acts as crucial fuel to elevate the mechanical engineering program.

 

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ASU Winner of Prestigious Nunn-Perry Award from Department of Defense​

ASU Winner of Prestigious Nunn-Perry Award from Department of Defense

www.alasu.edu

Alabama State University has reached a major milestone in its commitment to small business excellence, as its fifth Mentor-Protégé Agreement (MPA) was honored with the prestigious Nunn-Perry Award for excellence, the highest honor bestowed by the Department of Defense (DoD) as part of a mentoring team for 2026. Prior award were given in 2017, 2018, 2019, and 2022.

The annual Nunn-Perry Award honors outstanding mentor-protégé partnerships that strengthen the defense industrial base and small business growth by driving capability, expanding capacity, and delivering measurable results to meet complex national security missions.

The honor recognizes collaboration between ASU (MPA Mentor-Protégé Agreement), Parsons Government Services, Inc. (mentor), and Sphinx (protégé), a cyber counterintelligencea (CI) and cybersecurity company founded in 2018 by veterans with expertise in special operations, intelligence, and cyber warfare.