Tennessee took a big step forward regarding historically black colleges and universities with its new law that will assign personnel from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to assist HBCU's with several issues many have faced over the years.
"It's the first in the state and I believe fist in the nation," bill sponsor, Rep Harold Love Jr. said.
On Wednesday, Governor Bill Haslam signed a bill into law that will assign personnel from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission to assist HBCU's with several issues many have faced over the years.
The bill aims to help student retention, graduation rates and increase enrollment among other things.
"We can use the funding for more research opportunities," said Richard Donnell with Lane College in Jackson, TN.
In Nashville some of the biggest HBCU's include Fisk University, TSU and MeHarry Medical College.
There are seven HBCU's across the state, six of which are private institutions. With this bill, they'll now receive the funding they need.
"To expand our various academic efforts," said LaShante Walker, interim Vice President of Academic Affairs at American Baptist College.
