Jackson State University News August 28, 2015 JSU graduate student Hill will serve as HBCU ambassador for White House initiative Jackson State University graduate student Nina Hill is among 83 students out of 450 applicants nationwide who will serve as an ambassador for the White House Initiative on HBCUs. "I'm absolutely thrilled," said Hill about her HBCU All-Star selection, which is available to undergraduate, graduate and professional students. She is one of only five individuals selected to represent Mississippi. "This is a special honor for JSU and for me personally for the work I've done to help others. My role will be to serve as a point person to address any type of civil rights conflicts by reaching out to superiors and informing them of various campus issues." As part of the HBCU honor, she will be expected to provide outreach and communication with her peers about the value of education. Using social media and relationships with community-based organizations, Hill also will share proven practices that support opportunities for all young people to reach their career potential. The Jackson native credits her selection to her involvement with the Golden Key International Honor Society at JSU for which serves as president. The JSU chapter has been nationally recognized for community service and fundraisers. The Washington correspondence inviting her participation said, "We look forward to working with you to advance President Barack Obama's Executive Order 13532, "Promoting Excellence, Innovation and Sustainability at Historically Black Colleges and Universities." Ivory A. Toldson, acting executive director of the White House Initiative on HBCUs, said, "The Obama administration is committed to promoting excellence, innovation and sustainability across our nation's HBCUs. This year's class of All-Stars has distinguished itself as exemplars of the talent that HBCUs cultivate. ... We are confident these impressive students will help the White House Initiative on HBCUs meaningfully engage with students, showcase their talent and advance academic excellence at HBCUs." Hill, a stellar student with a 3.9 GPA, is seeking her master's degree in the Clinical Mental Health Program at JSU. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from JSU in 2011. She is an intern at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, assisting with its smoking-cessation program in its ACT Center for Tobacco Treatment, Education and Research. The HBCU All-Star induction ceremony for the 2015-2016 class will be Sept. 20-22 in Washington, D.C. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.