President Nave meets with USDA secretary and deputy secretary

Dr. Felecia M. Nave, president of Alcorn State University and an at-large member of the executive committee of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Council of 1890 Universities, met with Secretary Tom Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Jewel Bronaugh in Washington, D.C. yesterday.  

“Alcorn State University appreciates the continued support of Secretary Vilsack to address the many challenges that plague rural communities,” said Nave. “Our partnership with the USDA has allowed Alcorn to leverage and expand our footprint across industries to provide greater opportunities for our students and the communities that we serve.”  

The discussion with USDA Secretary Vilsack and Deputy Secretary Bronaugh centered on issues impacting rural communities and how the 1890 universities can assist the USDA to expand its impact. 

“We had a very constructive and substantive dialogue today with the leaders at USDA,” said Dr. Paul Jones, Chairman of the Council of 1890 Universities and President of Fort Valley State University in Georgia. “There is a lot of good work happening at the USDA and we look forward to building on our existing partnerships across the Department and with other cabinet agencies,” concluded President Jones. 

Other members of the five-member committee include Dr. Paul Jones, chair, Fort Valley State University; Dr. Heidi Anderson, vice chair, University of Maryland Eastern Shore; Dr. Makola Abdullah, President, Virginia State University; and Dr. Tony Allen, Delaware State University.