Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism Announces Morgan State University Named AmeriCorps School for National Service

First Historically Black College or University Recognized in Maryland

ANNAPOLIS, MD – The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism is pleased to announce today that Morgan State University is the first Historically Black College or University in Maryland designated as an AmeriCorps’ Schools of National Service. As of today, 10 Maryland universities and colleges have been named Schools of National Service.

“This initiative lowers barriers for students to access higher education and expands the vibrancy of campus communities and scholarship,” said Winston Wilkinson, Chief of Staff for the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives. “As a member of the Morgan State University Board of Regents, I am proud to see us emerge as a national leader investing in service-minded students.”

Schools of National service are committed to public service as a pathway to help pay for college. Morgan State is the third Historically Black College or University in the nation to be named. Schools invest in AmeriCorps alumni by offering them benefits such as tuition matching for the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award, in-state tuition, and more.

“As a proud Morgan State University graduate, I couldn’t be happier to be a part of this family,” said Sadiq Ali, Commissioner of the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism and graduate of the Graves School of Business. “With this announcement, Morgan’s legacy is cemented through its dedication to service.”

Since 1994, more than 1 million AmeriCorps members have served 4 billion hours. Schools of National Service will incentivize AmeriCorps alumni across the nation to learn, work, and serve in Maryland.

“This office and our esteemed commissioners were able to proudly work alongside Campus Compact and Maryland Higher Education Commission to expand benefits for students,” said Nicki Fiocco, Director of the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism.

Learn more about becoming a School for National Service or how to access benefits as an AmeriCorps alumni at gosv.maryland.gov/americorps.

About Morgan

Morgan State University, founded in 1867, is a Carnegie-classified high research (R2) institution offering nearly 120 academic programs leading to degrees from the baccalaureate to the doctorate. As Maryland’s Preeminent Public Urban Research University, and the only university to have its entire campus designated as a National Treasure by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Morgan serves a multiethnic and multiracial student body and seeks to ensure that the doors of higher education are opened as wide as possible to as many as possible. For more information about Morgan State University, visit www.morgan.edu.

About the Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism

The Governor’s Office on Service and Volunteerism is dedicated to supporting the mission of Maryland Governor Larry Hogan to serve our neighbors in need. This coordinating office funds AmeriCorps programs supporting disaster relief, economic opportunity, education, veterans and military families, public safety, health, and the environment in Maryland. A unit of the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, it has honored nearly 100,000 Maryland volunteers on behalf of Governor Hogan. Learn more by visiting our website at gosv.maryland.gov and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.

Media Contact(s):
Larry Jones or Dell Jackson, University PR
(443) 885-3022

Joanna Chen, Office on Service and Volunteerism
(410) 697-9269