The mission of the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Title III Program is to enhance the academic programs, fiscal management, and physical resources of the Valley Street Campus. Activities and services provided by the program address the enhancement of student support services, the integration of technology into curricula and instruction, and the improvement of physical facilities. Goals include increased student enrollment and retention, the achievement of students' educational goals, and expanded capabilities of information technology for students and faculty.
Valley Street Campus Administration Office
Ricky Tillis
Campus Director
256-549-8678
rtillis@gadsdenstate.edu
Campus
256-549-8673
To schedule a tour of the Valley Street Campus, please email HBCU@gadsdenstate.edu
Title III Grant Administration Office
Shameka Gilyard
Title III Director
256-549-8679
sgilyard@gadsdenstate.edu
Tarva Vaughn
Program Facilitator
256-549-8674
tvaughn@gadsdenstate.edu
Ariel McElwee
Instructional Technology Advisor
256-549-8681
amcelwee@gadsdenstate.edu
Craig Carter
Computer Technician
256-549-8683
ccarter@gadsdenstate.edu
Donna Adams
Clerk II
256-549-8667
dadams@gadsdenstate.edu
The Title III Grant Administration Office is located in the Prater Administration Building on the Valley Street Campus. For more information, individuals should contact the Title III Grant Administration Office, at 256-549-8667. The Title III Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education through its Historically Black Colleges and Universities Program (HBCU).
Currently, the Valley Street Campus houses the following:
Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
Several academic courses
To schedule a tour of the Valley Street Campus, please email HBCU@gadsdenstate.edu
Valley Street has a long and storied history in Etowah County. It opened its doors in 1960 as the Gadsden Vocational Trade School, a private vocational training school for Black Americans. It was founded by Eugene N. Prater, director of the Veterans Continuation Program for Negroes, in response to discontent expressed by Black veterans in Etowah County for being denied admission to the all-white Alabama School of Trades.
Eugene Ned Prater at the Valley Street Campus monument dedication in 2008
In 1972, the school was renamed Gadsden State Technical Institute. In October 1997, the school – now known as the Valley Street Campus – was designated as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU) by the U.S. Department of Education. The following year, the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Program began on the Valley Street Campus. The mission of Title III is to further provide resources and support that will strengthen the quest for an individual’s successful completion of their goals by encouraging intellectual and technical skills of students and faculty.
Martin Luther King III speaks at the ceremony designating the Valley Street Campus as an HBCU
Eugene Ned Prater speaks during the ceremony attended by state and local government officials and community leaders.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a student on the Valley Street Campus enrolled in a program.
- Prior to being considered for this funding, students must be registered for Spring 2023 classes.
- Students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to be eligible.
- Students must complete their 2022-2023 FAFSA to be eligible for the scholarship.
- Eligible students may be full-time, part-time, returning or new.
- Being a Pell grant recipient does not exclude any student from the scholarship.
- Must be in good standing with the College.
- All scholarships are subject to institutional, federal and state policies and procedures when applicable.
- Funds can be applied toward tuition, books, fees.
Steps to apply:
- Complete the 2022-2023 FAFSA
- Complete the General Scholarship Application
- Meet with interview committee
- Summer 2023 deadline is April 19, 2023
- Fall 2023 deadline is July 19, 2023
