Tag: Miles College

Miles College Cancels $3.9 Million Student Loans for the Spring 2022 Semester

Posted on by HCF Communications

FAIRFIELD, Ala. – Miles College will subsidize $3.9 million of federal student loans for a full-time students enrolled in the Spring 2022 academic semester with funds received from the Higher Education Emergency Fund (HEERF).

Instead of offering student direct federal loans, the College will alleviate some of the financial burdens of repaying students loans post-graduation by providing funding to minimize the number of students loans for its students.

“Our students have worked very hard to continue to thrive in a culture that many of us have not had to endure while being in college,” said Bobbie Knight, Miles College President. “We will continue to deploy as many resources as possible to support our students and ensure their success during and after their time at Miles College.”

The investment in Miles College reinforces the College’s commitment earlier this year when the College allocated funding to clear over $2.1 million in outstanding student balances.

“We understand how student loans are disproportionately impacting our students, and this is our first step in addressing the student loan crisis that many of our students face,” said Michael Johnson, Miles College Vice President of Enrollment Management. “Eliminating student loans for our students will help narrow the wealth gap and have a long-term impact on our students’ futures.”

The decision is the College’s first step to support their students navigating the student loan debt crisis. College officials are exploring opportunities to sustain these efforts with corporate and community partners.

About Miles College
Miles College, founded in 1898, is a premier liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution saw educated leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles, which is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and accredited by Commission on Colleges for the awarding of Baccalaureate Degrees, is the only four-year institution in historic Birmingham Alabama designated as a member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

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Miles College Receives Student Funding Support from Regions Foundation

Posted on by HCF Communications

FAIRFIELD, Ala. – Miles College announced it has received a $250,000 grant from the Regions Foundation to help cover student tuition needs and pay for scholarship opportunities as students pursue their degree at Miles.

The Regions Foundation is a nonprofit initiative that is primarily funded by Regions Bank. The Foundation issues grants that prioritize more inclusive prosperity, including through education and workforce readiness.

The $250,000 grant from the Regions Foundation will not only support current students, but also students who previously attended Miles College in the fall of 2019 or prior and wish to return, but still have unpaid student balances.

“I am grateful for the continued support that the Regions Foundation has bestowed upon Miles College,” said Bobbie Knight, Miles College President. “This investment in our students has given them the opportunity to return and finish their degrees without worrying about past balances.”

Both the Regions Foundation and Regions Bank are committed to supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Miles grant is similar in size and scope to grants provided by the Regions Foundation to additional HBCUs this semester. Further, the Regions Foundation and Regions Bank have a clear commitment to supporting a wide range of programs and initiatives that promote greater racial equity and economic empowerment for communities of color.

“The Regions Foundation is committed to advancing education opportunities for students across our communities while removing barriers to success,” said Marta Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “Those barriers often include financial challenges in obtaining a degree, and our goal is to use the foundation’s resources in a way that connects more students with the opportunity to complete their education and pursue rewarding careers. For over 100 years, Miles College has prepared students to excel collegiately and professionally. This grant from the Regions Foundation will significantly impact students as they pursue and achieve successful, rewarding careers.”

About Miles College
Miles College, founded in 1898, is a premier liberal art institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution saw educated leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles, which is fully accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and accredited by Commission on Colleges for the awarding of Baccalaureate Degree, is the only four-year institution in historic Birmingham, Alabama designated as a member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

About Regions Foundation
Regions Foundation supports community investments that positively impact the communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economics and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank.

About Regions Financial Corporation
Regions Financial Corporation (NYSE:RF), with $156 billion in assets, is a member of the S&P 500 Index and is one of the nation’s largest full-service providers of consumer and commercial banking, wealth management, and mortgage produces and services. Regions serve customers across the South, Midwest and Texas, and through its subsidiary, Regions Bank, operates more than 1,300 banking offices and approximately 2,000 ATMs. Regions Bank is an Equal Housing Lender and Member FDIC. Additional information about Regions and its full line of products and services can be found at www.regions.com.

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Miles College Increases Enrollment for the Second Consecutive Year

Posted on by HCF Communications

FAIRFIELD, Ala. – Miles College has recently announced an increased in total enrollment this fall by 4%, the College’s second consecutive enrollment increase since 2019. Miles College simultaneously welcomed 519 new students this semester, a 7% increase from 2020. The incoming class boasted a 3.07 average GPA, one of the highest among all new classes to date.

The College enrolled 126 transfer students for the fall 2021-2022 academic year, an increased of 50% from the 2020 school year. The phenomenal single-year, double-digit percentage enrollment increase culminated in a final fall 2021 enrollment count of 1,501 students at Greater Birmingham’s only four-year historically black college or university (HBCU). This increase brings total enrollment above 1,500 for the first time since 2017.

Additionally, the College deplayed an aggressive campaign to engage students who had their education disrupted for various reasons. In collaboration with Regions Foundation, this campaign resulted in Miles College re-enrolling 132 students returning to Miles College after disruption of at least a year of non-continuous enrollment. A total increase of 132% from 2020.

“This is a true testament to the work that our enrollment management team is doing to have this type of growth and success for the second year in a row,” said Bobbie Knight, Miles College President. “I am extremely proud of the hard work that we are doing at Miles College to ensure that we continue to recruit, retain, and educate our amazing students.”

Miles College has focused on improving its programs and processes to ensure student success. Despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, Miles College was very aggressive with its recruiting tactics.

“Guided by our strategic planning efforts, we’re leading the way in Alabama and nationally in our efforts to remove barriers to provide a global, high-quality educational experience for all of our students,” said Michael A. Johnson, Vice President for Enrollment Management. “It’s been an incredibly challenging year, but we’re seeing very positive trends in key areas, from our freshman enrollment growth to our community partnerships, much like the articulation agreement signed with Lawson State Community College last spring and we look forward to continuing to leverage these partnerships to enhance opportunities for our students.”

About Miles College
Miles College, founded in 1898, is a primer liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution saw educated leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles, which is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and accredited by Commission on Colleges for the awarding of Baccalaureate Degrees, is the only four-year institution in historic Birmingham, Alabama designated as a member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). For more information, visit www.miles.edu.

Miles College Announces the First of its Kind Partnership with #NOWINCLUDED, Powered by Acclinate, for Equity in COVID-19 Vaccinations and Clinical Research Trials

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FAIRFIELD, AL – Miles College enters the first of its kind partnership with #NOWINCLUDED, powered by Acclinate, for equity in COVID-19 vaccinations and clinical research trails. Acclinate is a trusted healthcare solutions provider integrating culture and technology to educate and engage diverse individuals to make informed decisions about genomic research and clinical trail participation.

“Essential to this partnership is the stark realization that the African American community has been historically omitted from significant consideration for clinical trails and research for cures to the most critical public health threats,” said Bobbie Knight, President of Miles College. “Partnerships like Acclinate are vital to our institution, and we look forward to educating our students on the role they can play to mitigate the gulf between research and cure within the African American community.”

The purpose of the partnership is for students and faculty to make informed decisions around their health and act as ambassadors to their communities and families.

“Our partnership with Miles is right on target for what we’d like to see happening with minority students throughout the nation,” explains Tiffany Whitlow, Acclinate co-founder.”The sooner we can help them prioritize their health, the better their lives will be beyond college and well into adulthood. This will not only help them but also their future families.”

Acclinate co-founder and former HBCU business dean, Del Smith, says that “I know firsthand how interconnected issues of education and health are. President Knight is to be commended for her innovative thinking and associated action when it comes to bettering not only the education, but the health of her student population.”

#NOWINCLUDED will conduct bi-weekly virtual workshops and offer topics such as residential learning in living during COVID-19, building on-line learning communities, and maintaining academic and emotional health during COVID-19. Students, faculty, and staff will participate in a pre and post-survey to better understand their COVID-19 knowledge and current mental health.

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About Miles College
Miles College, founded in 1898, is a premier liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution saw educated leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles, which is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and accredited by Commission on Colleges for the awarding of Baccalaureate Degrees, is the only four-year institution in historic Birmingham, Alabama designated as a member of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). For more information, visit www.miles.edu.

About #NOWINCLUDED
Acclinate is a trusted healthcare solutions provider integrating culture and technology to educate and engaging diverse individuals so they can make informed decisions about genomic research and clinical trail participation. We believe that diversifying genomic research and clinical trials to include more representation and diversity increases knowledge about health issues and make a difference in personalized healthcare for all. For more information, visit www.nowincluded.com.

Miles College Becomes Community Center for Coding and Creativity, in Collaboration with Apple and Tennessee State University

Posted on by HCF Communications
Miles College campus, Brown Hall. (Photo credit: HCF Communications & Marketing)

(FAIRFIELD, Ala.) – In celebration of Computer Science Education Week, Miles College announced it will become a community center for Coding and Creativity as part of Apple’s Community Education Initiative and Tennessee State University’s HBCU C2 initiative designed to bring coding and creativity experiences to historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their communities.

“We truly appreciate Apple’s leadership in recognizing the pivotal role Miles College and HBCU students will play in the future of global technological advancement and innovation, particularly through supporting and fostering this first-of-its-kind coding partnership,” said Bobbie Knight, Miles College President. “Being aligned in a strategic partnership with the largest technology company in the world will undoubtedly prove an invaluable asset to our graduates as they go on to compete in the global competitive technology marketplace.”

Faculty leaders from Miles College will participate in Apple’s ongoing Community Education Initiative Learning Series to learn about coding and app development. As part of that ongoing professional development, educators will explore innovative ways to engage with learners using Apple’s comprehensive curriculum, which utilizes its easy-to-learn Swift programming language.

As part of its Community Education Initiative, Apple is supporting Miles College with equipment and professional development to help the college become the pre-eminent HBCU C2 community center to bring coding and creativity to Fairfield, Alabama.

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About Miles College
Miles College, founded in 1898, is a premier liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution saw educated leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles, which is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and accredited by Commission on Colleges for the awarding of Baccalaureate Degrees, is the only four-year institution in historic Birmingham, Alabama designated as a member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). For more information, visit www.miles.edu.

Miles College Receives Grant from Alabama Power for Critical Technology needs

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Miles College students.

(FAIRFIELD, AL) – Miles College is receiving a grant from Alabama Power and its parent, Southern Company, to support the Miles College Empowerment Center for Digital Excellence in Careers and Education (M-Power Center). The gift is part of Southern Company and its subsidiaries’ $50 million HBCU initiative, a multiyear funding strategy announced in January 2020 that provides HBCU students with scholarships, internships, leaderships development and access to technology and innovation to support center readiness.

The M-Power center will allow students and faculty to learn, train, and regularly engage with the newest cutting-edge technology. The center will focus on STEM education, capacity building, and training components. In addition, the function of this center will support instructional delivery and promote student enrollment and retention.

“We are very pleased to receive this generous grant from Alabama Power and Southern Company,” said Bobbie Knight, President of Miles College. “During these challenging times, especially with the coronavirus pandemic having changed the way we serve our students, this grant will help us improve our technology capabilities and continue to innovate to meet our students’ needs.”

Alabama Power and Southern Company are honored to be part of a growing group of corporate and philanthropic partners that have increased support for HBCUs in the wake of COVID-19 and mounting calls for racial justice. Both businesses believe deeply in the importance of HBCUs in higher education and in their impact on economic development, innovation and American life.

“Our ope is that this funding will draw further recognition to schools like Miles College and deepen partnerships between business and civic leaders and these vital institutions,” said Myla Calhoun, Vice President of Birmingham Division of Alabama Power. “HBCUs are the forefront of innovation and academic excellence in Alabama, and across the country, and we hope that our company’s investment will only accelerate this important work.”

Alabama Power and Southern Company are committed to the success of HBCUs and fostering greater diversity and inclusion across the communities they serve. For more information about Miles College, visit www.miles.edu.

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About Miles College
Miles College, founded in 1898, is a premier liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution saw educated leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles, which is fully accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and accredited by Commission on Colleges for the awarding of Baccalaureate Degrees, is the only four-year institution in historic Birmingham, Alabama designated as a member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).

IBM Provides Miles College With $2 Million In AI and Open Hybrid Cloud Technology Resources to Help Students Build Modern Skills

Posted on by HCF Communications

(FAIRFIELD, Ala. – 11/23/20) – Miles College announced a multi-million dollar collaboration with IBM on a comprehensive program designed to develop diverse and high demand skill sets that align with industry needs and trends so both students and faculty can develop the skills they need today for the jobs of tomorrow.

IBM and Miles College are building on the need to advance digital skills in education and are dedicated to providing future focused curriculum and educational tools to help train the diverse workforce of tomorrow in fast-growing technologies such as Al, blockchain, data science, cybersecurity, cloud and quantum.

“Miles College celebrates IBM’s leadership in recognizing the value of investing in HBCU students as current and future leaders and innovators in the technology workforce,” said Bobbie Knight, Miles College President. “While the digital divide has historically placed many students as a technological disadvantage, this initiative will absolutely help narrow the gap,” said Knight.

The collaboration extends IBM’s recent investment in technology, assets, resources and skills development with HBCUs across the United State through the IBM Skills Academy Academic Initiative.

“Equal access to skills and jobs is the key to unlocking economic opportunity and prosperity for diverse populations,” said Valinda Scarbro Kennedy, HBCU Program Lead, IBM Global University Programs. “As we announced earlier this fall, IBM is deeply committed to helping HBCU students build their skills to better prepare for the future of work. Through this collaboration, Miles College students will have an opportunity to gain modern skills in emerging technologies across hybrid cloud, quantum, and Al so they can be better prepared for the future of work in the digital economy.”

As part of its multi-year Global University Programs which include the IBM Academic Initiative and the IBM Skills Academy, IBM is providing more than $100M in assets, faculty training, pre-built and maintained curriculum content, hands on labs, use cases, digital badges and software to select HBCUs. The IBM Academic Initiative provides access to resources at no-charge for teaching, learning and non-commercial research with recent enhancements including access to guest lectures. The IBM Skills Academy is a comprehensive, integrated program through an education portal designed to create a foundation of diverse and high demand skill sets that directly correlate to what students will need in the workplace. The learning tracks address topics such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, blockchain, data science and quantum computing.

IBM’s investment in HBCUs like Miles College is part of the company’s dedicated work to promote social justice and racial equality by creating equitable, innovative experiences for HBCU students to acquire the necessary skills to help unlock economic opportunity and prosperity.

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About IBM
IBM is a global leader in business transformation, serving clients in more than 170 countries around the world with open hybrid cloud and Al technology. For more information, visit www.ibm.com.

About Miles College
Miles College, founded in 1898, is a premier liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution saw educated leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles, which is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and accredited by Commission on Colleges for the awarding of Baccalaureate Degrees, is the only four-year institution in historic Birmingham, Alabama designated as a member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU).For more information, visit www.miles.edu.

Regions Bank Awards Miles College $25,000 Grant for Students COVID-19

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FAIRFIELD, AL – As part of its $5 million commitment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Regions Bank awarded Miles College a grant for $25,000 in support of President Bobbie Knight’s student COVID-19 Emergency Relief Fund. Support will provide emergency assistance to students with financial need, including housing, food, childcare, transportation, and learning technology.

“Miles College values our enduring partnership with Regions Bank and recognizes Regions as a leader in corporate citizenship in our community,” said Bobbie Knight, Miles College President. “Thoughout our long history, Regions has offered support of Miles and has answered the call to foster resources to assist our students in their pursuit of higher education attainment.”

It this unprecedented time, Region’s support will go a long way to provide educational resources to Miles College students, in light of the effects and interruptions of COVID-19.

“Regions Banks is a longtime community partner with Miles College, and together, we want to support the progress students have mad toward earning their degrees. COVID-19 presents many challenges, including the need for courses to remain online and for students to have access to the technology they need to build on their education. This grant is designed to help meet both needs as Miles College continues connecting students with top-quality education,” said Leroy Abrahams, Head of Community Affairs for Regions Bank.

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About Miles College

Miles College, founded in 1898, is a premier liberal arts institution located in metropolitan Birmingham within the corporate limits of the City of Fairfield. The noble founders of the institution saw education leadership as the paramount need in the black community. Miles, which is fully accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and accredited by Commission on Colleges for the awarding of Baccalaureate Degrees, is the only four-year institution in historic Birmingham, Alabama designated as a member of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). Learn more at www.miles.edu.

Miles College Board of Trustees Names Bobbie Knight as Permanent President

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Bobbie Knight

FAIRFIELD, AL – The Miles College Board of Trustees named interim President Bobbie Knight as the 15th president of Miles College. The decision was announced during the Spring Board meeting on March 5, 2020. Knight will assume the position as permanent president effective immediately, according to the College.

“We were blessed when Dr. Knight agreed to step in as Interim on short notice. Her strategic leadership since August 2019 has excelled our expectations,” says Bishop Teresa Jefferson – Snorton, Chair of the Board of Trustees. “She has engaged with the students and began several initiatives to enhance their learning experience. She has also secured the College’s largest single donor gift in history.”

In August 2019, the Board of Trustees made history when they named Knight as the Interim President. She became the first female president to assume the position in the College’s 122-year history.

“I am honored that the Board of Trustees has confidence in me to take a longer and more permanent view to provide leadership to Miles College,” said Bobbie Knight. “I look forward to serving the students, faculty, and staff to create a positive future for Miles College.”

Since assuming leadership of Miles College, Knight has worked to move the campus forward through faculty development, increased student support, and fundraising. She has created a new scholarship structure, encouraged the development of innovative academic programs, and increased the number of student internships to meet industry demand for future talent. Knight has assertively pursued federal grant opportunities for the campus, launched an innovative student recruitment campaign, and inspired the largest single donation gift in the College’s history for $1 million.

Knight is a Birmingham native, an active community leader, and the recipient of numerous awards and recognitions. Prior to her retirement in 2016, her career at Alabama Power spanned over thirty-seven years in several executive leadership positions. She is the current Vice-Chair of the Board of the Birmingham Airport Authority and Chair of the Board of Managers of the Birmingham Times Media Group. Knight served as co-chair of the transition team of Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin, and was most recently elected to the board of Bronze Valley.

Knight is a graduate of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and the Birmingham School of Law. She is also a graduate of Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management Executive Leadership Program.

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About Miles College

Miles College is a senior, private, liberal arts Historically Black College with roots in the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church that motivates and prepares students, through committed faculty, to seek knowledge that leads to intellectual and civic empowerment. The Miles College education engages students in rigorous study, scholarly inquiry, and spiritual awareness enabling graduates to become life-long learners and responsible citizens who help shape the global society. For more information, visit www.miles.edu.

The 21st Annual Chicago Football Classic announced Morehouse College and Miles College as this year’s Classic teams

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CHICAGO, IL – The Chicago Football Classic proudly announces the 2018 classic teams. The classic, which is in its 21st year, is celebrating another year of historically black colleges and universities football featuring Morehouse College Tigers and the Miles College Bears on Saturday, September 22nd at 3:30 p.m. at Soldier Field.

The Classic will showcase its series of events including the President’s Reception, Golf Tournament, Pep Rally, HBCU College Fair and Empowerment Summit, Battle of the Bands and of course, the highly-anticipated game.

For more information, visit the Chicago Football Classic website at www.chicagofootballclassic.biz or by calling 773-874-8000.