Howard University News November 8, 2016 Howard Hosts Girls from the White House's "Let Girls Learn" Initiative Howard University (HU) was selected as one of four institutions in the Washington metropolitan area to host a group of girls from Liberia and Morocco on Oct. 13, as part of the White House's Let Girls Learn initiative that commemorated International Day of the Girl on Oct. 11. Let Girls Learn was spearheaded by U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama to ensure adolescent girls get the education they deserve. Upon their arrival at Howard, the girls were welcomed by representatives from the Office of the Provost, International Student and Immigration Services Office, Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning and Assessment (CETLA), the Office of Admission, the Office of Research Development and current international students at the University. The objective of the visit was to have the girls tour the campus, interact with international students and learn more about studying in the United States, as well as about the history of the University. Associate Provost Joseph Reidy, Ph.D., gave the audience a brief history of the University, which included the correlation between the ending of the U.S. Civil War, the founding of Howard and its naming in honor of General Oliver Otis Howard, a war hero and the commissioner of the Freedmen's Bureau. In addition, Provost Reidy highlighted the role of the University in educating women since its founding in 1867. Unlike most peer institutions at the time, HU enrolled and graduated female students in all disciplines from its inception. Peter A. Ugbong, Benedicta Seho-Ahiable and Dr. Manal Sawan welcomed the students and provided a review of the services offered by the International Student and Immigration office in regards to issuing immigration documents. Krystal Johnson, in the Office of Admission, provided an overview of Howard admission criteria and the application process. Ms. Pamela A.G. Clarke moderated the event and shared her experiences as an international student and alumna of the university. The HU international students from an array of disciplines shared their experiences with the girls on topics such as study tips, scholarships, work-life balance, academic support systems and the representation and experiences of women in STEM disciplines amongst others. Helen Bond, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the CETLA welcomed the girls and stressed the importance of young women pursuing careers in educational technology. In addition to the traditional campus tour, the students were provided with a guided tour, and they were also featured in a CNN documentary with First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters that aired on Oct. 12. In all, USAID has announced a commitment of over $27 million in funding to directly support the Let Girls Learn initiative. As a Howard representative, Helen Bond was selected to attend a workshop in Liberia Sept. 21-23, 2016, as part of the initiative to compete for USAID funding. To read more, visit: https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2016/10/11/remarks-first-lady-screening-cnn-documentary-we-will-rise SANDRA M. PHOENIX HBCU Library Alliance Executive Director Atlanta University Center Robert W. Woodruff Library 111 James P. Brawley Drive SW Atlanta, GA 30314 404-978-2118 (office) 404-702-5854 (cell) http://www.hbculibraries.org/ sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org%3cmailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org>> Honor the ancestors, honor the children. Follow us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hbculibraryalliance1/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/HBCULibAlliance Check out "PULSE!" The HBCU Library Alliance's News Source! - https://hbculibraryalliance.wordpress.com/