STATE BUDGETARY AND LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES

OPERATING INVESTMENTS

Cheatham-White Scholarship Funding Increase: $2M with 160 Scholarships
N.C. A&T seeks funding to grow our Cheatham-White Scholarship Fund to support 160 scholarships. Currently, N.C. A&T spends $2.0M on the program, supporting 80 scholars. The university receives $850k in State appropriations for the scholarship fund. N.C. A&T is asking for an increase in funding from $850k to $2M.

Agriculture Research and Extension Match: $10,600,000M
As one of the state’s two land-grant institutions, N.C. A&T requests funds to expand Agricultural Research and Cooperative Extension programs to ensure support for research that will continue to produce measurable, high-impact outcomes for local and state economies. N.C. A&T serves all of North Carolina, with a focus on small farmers and limited resource communities. An additional $10,600,000 would increase the amount of State funds matching Federal funds to a ratio of 3:1. The appropriations would be used to strategically broaden the reach and depth of existing Agricultural Research and Extension programs (such as 4-H Youth Development programs), build strengths in new niche/growth areas (such as agricultural entrepreneurship, sustainability, food security, etc.), grow the personnel, bolster the Ph.D. in Agriculture and Environmental Sciences degree program and leverage synergies with partners.

Degree Completion Support: $3.4M
N.C. A&T is seeking funding to support its goal of achieving a 70% graduation rate, ensuring more students successfully complete their degrees. This investment will help reduce the direct cost of education for North Carolina residents, enabling them to continue their academic journey with fewer financial barriers. Additionally, this funding will build on the success of the university’s Free Summer initiative, which has provided critical academic opportunities for students and maximized prior state investments in higher education.

Campus Security: $324,223 recurring; $570,000 non-recurring
With exponential enrollment growth, N.C. A&T is requesting funding to enhance campus safety and security measures. The university is committed to implementing innovative strategies, including advanced technology, strengthened partnerships, and proactive safety initiatives, to foster a secure learning environment. These investments will ensure the well-being of students, faculty, and staff, reinforcing N.C. A&T’s dedication to maintaining a campus that prioritizes safety, awareness, and prevention.

Aggie Academy: $1M
As a UNC System Laboratory School, Aggie Academy provides high-quality education to students from low-performing schools or those who have faced academic challenges. Now in its third year, N.C. A&T is requesting funding to expand critical support for students in grades 3-5, ensuring they reach their full academic potential. Additional resources, including a Special Education Teacher and afterschool tutors, will help create an inclusive and innovative learning environment, equipping students with the skills they need for long-term success.

CAPITAL INVESTMENTS

Health and Human Sciences Building: $125M
N.C. A&T seeks funding to build a health and human sciences building to increase graduation of healthcare professionals, enhance faculty research, build scholarship, expand community-health partnerships, and develop advanced health science programming. The John R. and Kathy R. Hairston College of Health and Human Sciences at N.C. A&T is the largest and fastest growing college.

Agricultural Research and Classroom Building: $125M
N.C. A&T seeks funding to build an agricultural research and classroom building that will allow the university to further build out programs to develop sustainable agricultural practices and enhance the research environment around the new doctoral program in agriculture and environmental science. In a state where agriculture is the no. 1 industry, N.C. A&T is a major source of practical research and information, particularly for small farms and limited resource communities, as well as family-owned or legacy farms. The new agricultural research and classroom building will enhance the university’s capacities to fill critical needs for North Carolina and the United States.

Education, Recreation, and Wellness Complex: $160M
Since 2014, N.C. A&T has been the largest HBCU in the nation. With steadily increasing overall and residential student enrollment, N.C. A&T seeks funding for a recreation and wellness complex that accommodates the physical, mental, and emotional needs of students and mitigates the tensions of a flourishing enrollment.