The 2010 Top Supporters of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-serving Institutions survey reveals that the number of top supporters has dropped. Yet, despite the poor economy, many leading employers still support HBCU Engineering Schools and Universities. The survey also shows that major employers, military organizations and agencies have stayed the course.

Currently in its eighth year, the survey is conducted by US Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine and is completed by the engineering school deans of the ABET-accredited HBCU and minority institutions.

America’s future in the global marketplace depends heavily on the development of students from minority-serving institutions, which are dedicated to producing top scientists, technologists, engineers, and mathematicians. Competition in the new global marketplace demands that we develop top talent in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) careers. We applaud the efforts of the 2010 top supporters, for their commitment to minority institutions.

In completing the annual survey, the institutions considered the following factors: support for infrastructure modernization and enhancement, research, participation on advisory councils, faculty development opportunities, scholarships, student projects, stipends, co-ops, and career opportunities.

In response to the survey results, Dr. Tyrone D. Taborn, CEO and publisher of USBE&IT states, “Clearly the economy has reduced support for the HBCU Engineering Programs. This is unfortunate given that they continue to graduate 33 percent of all black engineers.”

Some of the institutions invited to participate in the survey were: Alabama A&M University, Florida A&M University, Hampton University, Howard University, Jackson State University, Morgan State University, Norfolk State University, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, Southern University A&M, Tennessee State University, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University and Virginia State University.