A leadership initiative focused on strengthening student success at historically Black colleges and universities recently brought campus leaders together for a week of professional development and collaboration.
The Thurgood Marshall College Fund's HBCUs Embracing and Retaining Our Everyday Strengths (HEROES) program welcomed participants from the University of the District of Columbia, Prairie View A&M University, Drake State Community & Technical College, St. Philip's College and Shelton State Community College for training centered on Gallup's CliftonStrengths framework.
In addition to completing immersive sessions designed to prepare them to become Gallup-Certified Strengths Coaches, participants took part in the inaugural HBCU CliftonStrengths Community of Practice. The new initiative was created to help coaches and campus leaders remain connected after earning their certification, providing a space to exchange ideas, share implementation strategies, and collaborate on strengths-based education efforts.
The gathering also brought together graduates from previous HEROES cohorts and Campuses Adopting Strengths-Based Education (CASE) officers, expanding opportunities for collaboration across institutions. Alumni from Elizabeth City State University, Claflin University and Texas Southern University participated alongside CASE officers representing Alabama A&M University, Lincoln University (Pennsylvania), Prairie View A&M University and Winston-Salem State University.
Throughout the week, attendees explored Gallup best practices, participated in collaborative planning sessions and discussed emerging applications of artificial intelligence in strengths-based education. Organizers said the program was designed to prepare participants to lead strengths-based initiatives on their campuses while fostering lasting connections with peers at HBCUs across the country.
HEROES Week concluded with a certification ceremony recognizing participants who completed the program.
Robin Sanders, a Hampton University graduate and former U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Congo and Nigeria, delivered the keynote address. Organizers said her remarks highlighted the growing momentum behind strengths-based leadership development across HBCUs.
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