USAID Signs Historic MOU under the Minority-Serving Institutions Partnership Initiative with Tuskegee University

Administrator Samantha Power and Tuskegee University President Charlotte Morris signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the international development workforce. USAID and Tuskegee University committed to working together to shape research, technology, resilience, and nutrition and water security across the development space.

Under the Minority-Serving Institutions Partnership Initiative, USAID has expanded its partnerships to align with the new Global Food Security Strategy and the diversity and equity priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration. In support of the U.S. government’s Feed the Future initiative to end hunger, Tuskegee University and USAID will partner domestically and internationally in the areas of food safety and security, farming and extension, animal health and pathology, and human health and welfare. Tuskegee’s expertise will be utilized to create programming, facilitate training, participate in exchanges, and share best practices. USAID will also share information about paid internships, jobs, and research opportunities for all students, graduates, and faculty at Tuskegee University.

Building on Administrator Power’s visit to Delaware State University, today’s MOU signing is part of USAID’s commitment to develop a stronger workforce that is diverse, inclusive, and equitable. The Agency has also boosted the budget for paid internships by nearly 700 percent to bring in more candidates from underrepresented communities.