Dr. Tina Jones, Dean of Community Outreach
Byways, Department of Transportation
     The Alabama Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail (BBNHT) follows approximately 210 miles of U.S. 80 through Alabama, from the Mississippi state line to the Georgia state line. It passes through eight Alabama Black Belt counties (Macon, Montgomery, Lowndes, Dallas Perry, Marengo, Hale and Sumter). The project area for the Black Belt Nature and Heritage Trail scenic byway is 13 counties, which include the additional counties of Bullock, Wilcox, Choctaw, Greene, and Pickens. It was designated an Alabama Scenic Byway in 2007. This project benefits  travelers through an interpretive plan designed to educate visitors on the cultural, historical, and natural sites of the Black Belt. Projects will allow visitors to experience the Black Belt by walking the Edmund Pettus Bridge, visiting Gee’s Bend quilters, marveling at Native American wonders, tasting local Southern cuisine, and wandering antebellum plantations, while enjoying available recreational activities.
     Black Belt Nature & Heritage Trail
     Federal Highway Administration….…$340,000

Partners in the Field
     Notification has been received for funding of the Partners in the Field grant application. The grant will provide funds for Historic Preservation, the original Green Initiative facilitated through the Alabama Trust for Historic Preservation.
     National Trust for Historic Preservation......$82,000

Black Belt Garden Classroom
     The Center for the Study of the Black Belt received funding from Tombigbee RC&D to provide footings for the Campbell-Strickland Home. The project will enhance the Black Belt Garden Classroom.
     Tombigbee Resource Conservation & Development......$5,700

Dr. Alan Brown
Story of Alabama Roots Music
     Dr. Alan Brown has received funding through AHF for the study of the roots music that evolved from Alabama’s diverse cultural groups.
     Alabama Humanities Foundation......$5,000

Amy Jones
Career Preparation Workshop
     Amy Jones received funding for a workshop given for journalism students to assist them in the preparation of individual portfolios, resumes, and interviews.
Great first effort, Amy!
     Alabama Press Association Journalism Foundation, Inc. ......$1,000

Pagliero and Gregg
Rock-n-Road Literacy Program
     Mary Pagliero and Dr. Janie Gregg have received funding from the UWA chapter of Phi Kappa Phi to provide books for the Healthy Start Maternity Care Program. The purpose of this program is to instill an appreciation of books while increasing literacy rates in the Black Belt.
     National Headquarters of Phi Kappa Ph......$2,500

Dr. Mark Davis and UWA Director and Chief of Campus Security Jeff Manuel are diligently working on the COPS  grant to establish a resource center enabling local law enforcement to research the effects of methamphetamines. The project includes two major components: research of meth-related crimes in area and training for law enforcement officers, teachers, and retailer in identification of signs related to methamphetamine abuse.
     U.S. Department of Justice…......$187,000

The BEST Program: Building the Educational Strategies of Tomorrow
The newly funded project from the Department of Education was developed by Dr. Martha Hocutt and Dr. Diane Swain. The program is directed by Lenoise Richey, who is recruiting high school student with the potential to become outstanding teachers. The students, BEST Fellows, will participate in a summer program and special programs throughout the year.
     U.S. Department of Education…......$1,050,000

Dr. Ketia Shumaker
NSF Functional Genomics Research
Dr. Ketia Shumaker’s recent and on-going grant collaboration with Mississippi State University (MSU) and Pennsylvania State University (PSU) provides outstanding opportunities for her and UWA students.  Through networking opportunities and collaborations with colleagues at MSU, Shumaker was able to do research at PSU this summer through a National Science Foundation  Plant Genomics Research Supplemental Grant Award on the functional genomics of woody perennial flowering of Populus deltoides. Dr. Shumaker has recruited three UWA students (Joseph Kennedy, Kimberly McAlpine, and Shaquondra Williams) for the spring 2009 semester.   Dr. Shumaker is a principal investigator in the NSF application for the renewal of the Genome Research grant submitted by PSU to NSF for funding. This research opportunity will provide her  and select UWA students with research training in functional genomics. Dr. Shumaker and a team of 6 undergraduate students from UWA will visit PSU for two months each summer during the four-year project. Congratulations Ketia!!!!!

Dr. Natasha Satcher
UWA Outreach and Partnership Project 
Youth programs continue on the UWA Campus through funding from the Department of Justice. Dr. Natasha Satcher has directed the summer program for youth that encourages wellness, teamwork, and leadership. The project is a 3-year project.
     U.S. Department of Justice…......$493,614

John McCarter
Transportation Program for Secondary Education
Through a partnership with Sumter County Schools, the Division of Outreach Services (Ken Walker, Director) has been funded to provide an in-school program for high school students in transportation careers. John McCarter facilitated the submission and will serve as coordinator.
     Federal Highway Administration…......$200,000

In the Works
Valerie Burnes
Teaching in Your Own Backyard
     National Endowment of the Humanities…......$101,570
Repairs of Covered Bridge
     Federal Highway Administration (ALDOT)…......$20,474
Bookshelf Grant (Historical Preservation)
     Institute of Museums & Libraries: American Association of State and
     Local Histories.....$1,000

Dr. Dana Harmon
African American Marriage and Family Stability
     National Center for Marriage Research
     Bowling Green State University…..$15,000

Dr. Tina Jones
Save America’s Treasures: Signage and Interpretations of Heritage
     National Endowment of the Humanities.....$75,000

  Future Plans
Dr. Marsha Cannon and Deborah Carlisle
Department of Education
Nursing Program…......$600,000

Dr. Adele Moriarty
Department of Education
Training for Special Education Teachers…......$150,000

Dr. Diane Swain
U.S. Department of Education
Teacher Quality Partnership Grants…......$900,000