Chanta Haywood, the dean of FAMU’s Graduate Studies and Research department, has been appointed to serve on the Jacob K. Javits Fellowship Board at the U.S Department of Education.
Haywood will still hold the position as dean while serving on the board.
“I anticipate becoming an even better dean as a result of this experience,” said Haywood. The board meets occasionally in Washington, D.C. Her first meeting is in March.
Haywood, along with eight additional appointees and the executive director, will be held responsible for the education of all Americans.
As a board member, Haywood will help establish general policies for the program, oversee the program’s operation and help with general criteria for the award of fellowship in academic fields identified by the board. She will also help appoint panels of scholars from the arts, humanities and social sciences to review fellowship applications.
In a press release, Provost Cynthia Hughes-Harris said Haywood would be a good representation for FAMU.
“I am thrilled that (U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan) selected Dean Haywood and that FAMU is getting this kind of recognition on the national level,” said Harris. “I am confident that Dr. Haywood would represent the university well on this Board.”
Haywood has been serving as dean of graduate studies since 2003.
Julius Benson, 22, a psychology graduate student, said she is confident Haywood’s capability.
Haywood is the best that FAMU has to offer as far as taking our program to a higher level,” said the Tampa native.
Since 2003, Haywood has written, co-written grants and has managed more than $4 million in federal grants for the U.S Department of Education.
“I have a very good understanding of their vision, mission and expectations,” said Haywood.
She has also been responsible for the Graduate Assistance in Areas of National Need (GAANN) Program, which provides fellowships to graduate students with excellent records who demonstrate a financial need. Students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident planning to pursue the highest degree available in a field designated as an area of national need.
“More students should focus on graduate studies, given the time students will position current job market,” Haywood said. “It will buy them time to allow the economy to stabilize, and at the same themselves to be more competitive.” She also strongly encourages FAMU students to apply for other programs in order to support their graduate work as well.
Haywood earned her undergraduate degree from FAMU in English (summa cum laude) and her masters and doctoral degrees from the University of California at San Diego.
Haywood is the only board member representing an HBCU.
She said she’s thrilled to be able to contribute to President Barack Obama’s Administration.
“I’m looking forward to transferring the lessons I learn from this experience to enhance graduate education, student life and research at FAMU,” Haywood said.