UNCF Recognized Benedict College with the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award

The Award is given by UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building Program in celebration of an HBCU that achieved next-level performance

Columbia, SC— The 2024 UNITE: UNCF Summit for Black Education recently held in Atlanta, GA included more than 75 historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).  The conference was the largest and most impactful Summit to date according to Ed Smith-Lewis, UNCF’s Senior Vice President, Strategic Partnership and Institutional Programs and leader of its Institute for Capacity Building.

During the five-day Conference, UNCF recognized Benedict College with the 2024 UNCF Institutional Excellence Award, for achieving next-level performance.

“It is an honor to receive UNCF’s most prestigious award” said Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, President and CEO of Benedict College. “We, at Benedict College, have executed strategies to make us a more resilient and thriving institution and we are committed to adapting processes to meet the needs of today’s learners. This recognition affirms the collective efforts of the Benedict College Trustees, Staff, and Faculty. Teamwork really does make the dream work!”

Smith-Lewis noted that “the country is at a pivotal crossroads, with America’s future on the line. It is exhilarating to see the crucial role HBCUs play as engines of transformation in our society.”

Benedict College is also taking bold steps towards redefining the student experience from enrollment to graduation. “We are laser focused on transformation and have dedicated countless hours streamlining access and enrollment processes, implementing integrated support systems to expedite student progression, enhancing advising and support services, developing a strategic agenda centered on student success, optimizing resource allocation to align with institutional goals, and revising policies and procedures to improve outcomes and close equity gaps,” said Dr. Verna Orr, Transformation Officer. “Our positive outcomes have major implications for the HBCU community writ large and can be scaled with some consistency and institution specific customization”.

“The nation’s attention is rightfully on HBCUs,” stated, Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO, UNCF said recently. “Our community has achieved remarkable progress in recent years, but the potential for greater impact lies ahead. We eagerly anticipate engaging a wide cross-section of national leaders to explore how HBCU will shape the era of American life.”