Charles R. Drew University is One of Ten Institutions to Join CHANGE Cohort

Vlog is one of ten institutions selected as a partner for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund’s (TMCF) Community for HBCU Advancement through Networked Growth and Excellence (CHANGE) Initiative, launched in partnership with the Association of College and University Educators (ACUE).
CHANGE is a nationwide initiative, fully funded by TMCF, focused on faculty and staff growth. It establishes professional development as a key strategic tool to improve student outcomes, elevate institutional standards and build lasting capability across the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU) community.
Through the initiative, CDU faculty and staff will gain expanded access to professional development opportunities, including courses leading to the only nationally recognized Effective Teaching certification endorsed by the American Council on Education (ACE), as well as a community of practice offering continued learning on timely topics shaping higher education. The initiative also supports longitudinal research, institutional learning and continuous improvement, and faculty and staff wellness resources.
“Participation in the CHANGE Initiative reflects CDU’s ongoing commitment to advancing academic excellence and student success through innovative, evidence-based teaching and leadership development,” said Dr. William Shay, Interim Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. “By investing in our faculty and staff, we are strengthening the educational experience for our students and building sustainable institutional excellence.”
“This partnership helps strengthen our institutions at the core: in the classroom,” Dr. Harry L. Williams, president & CEO of TMCF, said. “Our students deserve access to the best educators in their development journey as the next generation of workforce talent. Together, this strategic partnership produces evidence-based teaching excellence, improved retention and persistence, measurable student gains and so much more.”
She also expressed gratitude toward L.A. Care Health Plan and their “Elevating the Safety Net” program, which has provided four full-ride scholarships to CDU medical students each year since 2018, including four students in the class of 2025.
About the Thurgood Marshall College Fund
Established in 1987, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) is the nation’s largest organization exclusively representing the Black college community. TMCF member schools include the publicly supported historically Black colleges and universities, predominantly Black institutions and historically Black community colleges, enrolling nearly 80% of all students attending Black colleges and universities. Through scholarships, capacity building and research initiatives, innovative programs and strategic partnerships, TMCF is a vital resource in the K-12 and higher education space. The organization is also the source of top employers seeking top talent for competitive internships and good jobs. TMCF is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, charitable organization. For more information about TMCF, visit .