On April 18, 2023, Fayetteville State University (FSU) was honored to welcome to campus Ms. Paloma Adams-Allen, the Deputy Administrator for Management and Resources for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), a federal agency that provides foreign assistance to enhance international economic development among key developing countries and respond to urgent global humanitarian needs. 

FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and USAID Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen signed a historic Memorandum of Understanding during a ceremony at FSU’s Rudolph Jones Student Center, marking the USAID agency’s sixth agreement to date under USAID’s Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Initiative. 

The Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Initiative (MSIPI) is a mutually responsive and supportive partnership between USAID and the U.S. higher education community focused on achieving broad global development objectives. MSIPI aims to increase awareness and access to USAID programs and initiatives and identify opportunities for students and faculty to engage in U.S. foreign assistance and USAID’s work.

The MOU signing with FSU signals that USAID is investing in expanded efforts with educational partners to further the shared mission of combating poverty and food insecurity and expanding educational and economic opportunity worldwide. This partnership also represents a major step forward in USAID’s collaboration with HBCUs. The preeminent standing of FSU’s Broadwell College of Business and Economics (BCBE) led to the University being selected for this exciting opportunity. BCBE’s online Master of Business Administration program is top-ranked by U.S. News and World Report. FSU’s diverse student population and varied program offerings were also significant in USAID’s partnership agreement.

“I am so excited about today’s announcement because it emphasizes keys to success for any organization – building, developing and tapping into its strong talent pool – a talent pool of leaders,” said FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison, J.D. “That is why I am overjoyed that [USAID will invest] $1 million over two years to help maximize the diversity and strength of its workforce. FSU is already making an impact and building bridges. Thanks to this investment, we will realize even greater change.”

In her remarks at the MOU signing event, USAID Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen said that the USAID needs the partnership of HCBUs to help countries around the world increase their economic self-sufficiency, reduce conflict, and prevent the spread of disease, and counteract violence. This first-of-its-kind partnership between USAID and an HBCU will be crucial for the federal agency in achieving its long-term development objectives, which include mitigating and adapting to the severe effects of climate change, promoting gender equality, and building a more diverse workforce and a safer, more inclusive workplace. 

“No matter your major, we need your skills at USAID: even those skills you may not have thought would apply to international development,” said Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen. “Your business experience could help facilitate partnerships with the private sector that can help us fight the climate crisis. If you have agricultural training, you can help us support the smallholder farmers whose work is crucial to ending global hunger ... No matter your background, your lived experience can help you make a real impact in communities facing the same kinds of challenges you may have faced—making you a powerful force in the fight to protect and promote human dignity.”

As a result of the new partnership between USAID and FSU, USAID and FSU will develop the pilot of an Acquisition Career Workforce Professional Program. This program will give FSU students opportunities for internships, professional development, and certification that will position them for careers with USAID and the federal workforce. The agreement between FSU and USAID includes the following activities to improve student preparation for working at USAID, including:

• Acquisition Workforce Development Pilot through which FSU students will be prepared to enter federal careers in contracts and purchasing,
• Faculty support for potential curriculum enhancements,
• Potential faculty engagement in research and consulting projects to help improve USAID operations,
• Student information sessions and webinars available to students from all majors,
• Webinar events for USAID staff to interact directly with FSU students and staff to discuss global career opportunities, and
• Potential internships for students interested in management and operations at USAID beginning in the Fall 2023.

The partnership will also position USAID to harness FSU’s science, technology, and innovation competencies to help address complex global development challenges.

USAID will work closely with the FSU College of Business and Economics faculty to advise on course curriculum and research topics across a wide professional spectrum, including financial management, information technology, public sector management, budget, management operations support, and acquisition and assistance priorities. This new partnership will also focus on building the capacity of Minority Serving Institutions to partner with USAID in efforts to address development challenges globally.