Delaware State University announces $1.6 million for new programming

DOVER, Del. – Delaware State University Monday announced $1.6 million in congressionally directed spending for projects at the university.

The funding is for projects that will create a Farm Incubator Module, expand mentorship and career development opportunities for DSU students, and advance research and development in space.

The funding, secured by the Delaware delegation, including Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons as well as US House Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester, is aimed at boosting black educators, teachers, agriculture research, and pilot programs.

“These dollars go toward expanding opportunities for people who don’t have a farm at home but can right here on Delaware State’s campus have the materials they need from greenhouses to the training and technical assistance to get those not traditional people into the ag industry,” Representative Blunt Rochester said, adding the dollars will also go at increasing graduation rates and giving black students in multiple industries role models to look up to.

“This is a chance for more people to participate in this industry that we need more than ever,” she said.

Senator Coons, co-chair of the national HBCU caucus says the money will support careers across the first state.

“There is a generational need for new pilots and folks who are able to work in aviation maintenance and repair, the airforce base in Dover is a real anchor of employment but folks may not know del state is one of two HBCUs in the entire country training young pilots and training folks in aviation maintenance,” Senator Coons said.

Coons tells 47 ABC the investment is part of a multi-year effort to help boost the HBCU, adding that they will be requesting 11 million dollars in funding for the next year.