FAMU Graduate Dean Gives “Best Practices” Presentation for U.S. Department of Education

Chanta M. Haywood, Ph.D., dean of the Florida A&M University (FAMU) School of Graduate Studies and Research, recently delivered a “best practices” presentation at the national meeting and technical workshop of the U.S. Department of Education’s Graduate Assistance in Area of National Need Program (GAANN).

More than 300 administrators and faculty members from research institutions around the country heard Haywood speak specifically about best practices in managing the grant, particularly in the area of institutional commitment.

This is the second time Haywood has been invited to speak to this prestigious group because of the active role she has played in securing and expertly managing more than $3.6 million in funds from this federal agency. Since 2001, FAMU's GAANN funds have supported 30 master’s and doctoral students in physics, medicinal chemistry, mechanical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, and electrical engineering. Of these students, eight have received Ph.D.s, five have received master’s degrees, and 12 are ABD (All-But-Dissertation) and expected to graduate in the 2009-2010 academic year. The others are making satisfactory progress towards completing their research.

“Dr. Haywood is developing a graduate program focused on increasing the number of minorities that are earning Ph.D.’s,” said FAMU President James H. Ammons. “She has several innovative initiatives in place to carry out that agenda. Her participation in this meeting showcases the school’s efforts and other FAMU faculty who are doing an outstanding job in sustaining the university’s research agenda.”

Cossette Ryan, director of the GAANN Program, stated that Haywood's presentation was so “excellent and well-received” that it will be placed on the U.S. Department of Education’s website per attendees’ request.

“I am honored to have been asked to speak and that those present felt that the model we have in place at FAMU is replicable,” said Haywood. “I think that the attendees were pleased with the comprehensive approach that FAMU has taken in showing its commitment to writing and managing the GAANN grants. Our commitment really shows best practices in intra-campus collaborations.”

She co-wrote the grants by working closely with what she calls “the dream teams of experts” in the grant fields. They are Reginald Perry, electrical engineering, Seth Ablordeppy, medicinal chemistry, Kamal Tafiq, civil and environmental engineering, Emmanuel Collins, mechanical engineering, and Mogus Mochena, physics.

“They all deserve credit for being so committed to the program," said Haywood.

FAMU’s Provost Cynthia Hughes Harris is excited about the national visibility that such presentations bring to FAMU.

“This certainly brings attention to FAMU’s role as a key player in addressing areas of national need and in being a leader in graduate education and grant management,” said Hughes.

This year, Haywood will lead the effort to build teams to write grants to support 21 students in nursing, chemistry, and physics.