EXCELLENCE IN FOCUS ANNUAL REPORT 2017–18 Contents 1 A Message from 12 Sustainability 20 Athletics President Breaux Leading the Way to Sustainability Bulldog Athletes Ascend to New Heights 2 Academics & Research 13 Faculty & Staff Achievements Building the Cybersecurity Celebrating VR Expert for 22 Philanthropy Leaders of Tomorrow Research Success Building a BSU Legacy Research Holds Promise for Selected for Prestigious World Health Leadership Program 26 Donors Growing the Pipeline to 41 Financials Opportunity 16 Student Achievements Sources of Revenue BSU Team Showcases Wildfire 8 Entrepreneurship Detection Invention Operating Expenses Student Businesses High-Tech Innovation Helps Emerge from Students Win Second Place 43 Administration Entrepreneurship Academy 10 New President President Breaux Shares Her Vision A Message from President Breaux As I reflect on my first year at Bowie State University, I am filled with much gratitude and appreciation for the privilege to serve as your 10th president. The historic presidential inauguration brought together faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends to celebrate a new era at Bowie State University. The week of activities helped spread the vision for the future of the university. The year marked a time of change in many ways. A campus-wide strategic planning process was completed and now guides our way toward the Racing to Excellence priorities of academic excellence, student success and long-term viability of the institution. We continued to achieve record high enrollment, and our quality educational experience led to recognition as one of the nation’s top 30 HBCUs by U.S. News & World Report and BestColleges.com, which ranked BSU #3. We worked to reconstitute a dynamic senior leadership team and to enhance transparency and broad participation in building the foundation for the future of the university, including returning commencement to the campus. In the pages that follow, you will read about the academic and research accomplishments in cybersecurity, natural sciences and education that are helping BSU to build new partnerships to provide deep learning experiences for our diverse learners. The distinctive quality of our faculty and staff in many disciplines is highlighted by their numerous honors and leadership activities. Our students continued to shine in regional and national arenas with achievements in research, arts and science competitions, while our student- athletes set new records on the playing fields, including the football, women’s bowling and women’s basketball teams. These are just a few examples of the outstanding works of so many members of our BSU community. We have made great strides to transform our institution by restructuring some divisions to better support 21st century learners. Our alumni and friends have been great partners in this effort. More alumni made valuable contributions to grow the university’s endowments, and establish new ones, to help sustain resources for generations to come. The Racing to Excellence Endowed Scholarship, established in honor of my late father, reached over $100,000 in new donations from our BSU community and friends. I thank each of the faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends for all that you do as we forge a new path to connect BSU with the larger local, regional and global community with student success at the center of our work. Aminta H. Breaux President BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS ACADEMICS & RESEARCH POINT OF PRIDE Dr. Weifeng Xu (left), BSU associate professor and Bowie State University is one of the top five Maryland software security expert, leads the development institutions graduating the most African Americans with of a simulator to teach cybersecurity concepts, with a research team of faculty and students that bachelor’s degrees in biology and technology fields. includes Ayodele Hammed-Shobayo (center) and Ruth Agada (right). 2 BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY | ANNUAL REPORT 2017–18 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS ACADEMICS & RESEARCH Building the Cybersecurity Leaders of Tomorrow As the threat of cybercrimes rises worldwide, the demand for cybersecurity professionals is rapidly growing. To help meet that vital need, BSU is expanding its already strong capacity to prepare students for cybersecurity careers. The newly established Department of Technology a research team led by computer science faculty and Security, which houses the computer technology member Dr. Weifeng Xu is developing an interactive major, will help open more opportunities for funding cybersecurity simulator to teach students how to to enhance academic and hands-on experiences. BSU combat real-world threats. has long had the University System of Maryland’s only Students already can tackle real-world issues in a new computer technology program. The BSU difference is that internship program called the Bowie Applied Technology “everybody else has information technology. We’re on Training Laboratory Experience (BATTLE). In summer the computing side,” said the new department’s founding 2018, 16 computer technology majors completed chairperson, Dr. Lethia Jackson. “Our students were interactive case studies directed by Dr. Clarence Ray. learning how to build a network from scratch. We realized that we already actually had a cybersecurity program.” Because of hands-on opportunities like BATTLE, Bowie students are being hired immediately for high-paying New grants, like the $2.5 million in annual state jobs. “There is a big call for diversity inclusion in funding for the new Cyber Warrior Diversity Program computer technology,” said Dr. Jackson. “Bowie does for Maryland HBCUs, will enable the university to add that. Now we can play on the field with the big boys.” valuable hands-on learning programs. In addition, using a $400,000 National Science Foundation grant, 3 BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY | ANNUAL REPORT 2017–18 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS Research Holds Promise for World Health New research to discover cures for some of the world’s most pressing health problems is raising Bowie State’s profile as a hub for bioscience innovation. Science faculty working in the new Center for Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Nursing are helping to advance Bowie State’s role in Maryland’s growing biotechnology industry. Dr. Eric Bonsu is partnering with a biotech company on a treatment for pancreatic cancer, projected to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. by 2020. He is exploring the use of DNA immunotherapy to recognize tumors and destroy cancer cells. In another BSU lab, Dr. Kari Debbink is working to identify vaccine targets for noroviruses that cause vomiting and diarrhea. Her research also may help forecast animal-borne viruses that might infect humans. The potential for BSU students and human health is exciting. “It is significant that this revolutionary work on pancreatic cancer therapies is taking place at a university of our size,” said Dr. Bonsu. “Our students have access to scientists who are innovators in their fields and work on solutions to real-world challenges.” Two university researchers are combining chemistry and genetics to find cures for conditions that affect more than 300 million people worldwide. Drs. Lucia Santacruz and Bradford Braden, in collaboration with Visiting Professor Raul Cachau from the Frederick National Laboratory for Cancer Research, are researching ways to predict and prevent conditions that cause intellectual and behavior disabilities, such as autism. “With the help of our partners and visiting faculty, Bowie State is positioned to become a leader in drug discovery in the state of Maryland,” said Dr. Santacruz. Dr. Kari Debbink is one of several natural sciences professors whose research in drug discovery is establishing Bowie State as a center of bioscience innovation. 4 BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY | ANNUAL REPORT 2017–18 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS ACADEMICS & RESEARCH Partnership Widens Reach of Business Program In partnership with Laurel College Center and two community colleges, Bowie State is making its business administration program available to more students in the region. Students pursuing associate degrees at Prince George’s and Howard Community Colleges will be able to take courses toward a BSU bachelor’s degree in business administration at the Center. The College of Business is a hub for entrepreneurs and home to Maryland’s first business incubator at an HBCU. BSU graduates are highly recruited by the region’s top employers. President Breaux (center), along with EPA Prepares Students for Federal Careers Dr. Charlene Dukes (left), president of Prince More Bowie State students will get expert preparation George’s Community College, and Dr. Kathleen Hetherington (right), president of for federal jobs in a program designed to diversify the Howard Community College government workforce. A new five-year agreement between Bowie State and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expands an existing collaboration that gives students educational and practical experiences to help them succeed in federal careers. Students from all academic areas, including education, criminal justice and nursing, will be able to shadow EPA scientists, connect with agency mentors and hear from policy experts in campus-based forums and classes. (from left to right) EPA Mid-Atlantic Regional Administrator Cosmo Servidio, Maryland Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Julianne Oberg, Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles and President Breaux 5 BOWIE STATE UNIVERSITY | ANNUAL REPORT 2017–18 BACK TO TABLE OF CONTENTS ACADEMICS