Langston University is investing in new ways to help students succeed in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The university announced a five-year National Science Foundation award totaling $2,249,925 to launch ASCEND, a program combining student explanations of their work with AI-assisted learning analysis.

The initiative focuses on challenging foundational courses, including calculus, general chemistry and physics. Its approach asks students to explain how they solve problems and why their methods work through brief video recordings.

Faculty will use those explanations and learning analysis to identify misunderstandings and provide more targeted support.

The goal is to strengthen students’ reasoning and understanding as they progress through their STEM education. Langston also plans to use the project to support faculty development and undergraduate research.

The award highlights an important area of HBCU innovation: improving the learning experience so more students can stay on track toward completing their degrees.

Support our HBCU schools as they create new opportunities for the next generation of scientists, researchers and technology professionals.

Source: Langston University

Tags: HBCU Original, Langston University, STEM education, National Science Foundation, HBCU research, artificial intelligence, student success, undergraduate research, higher education

Students at participating North Carolina HBCUs and minority-serving institutions have an opportunity to receive financial support for the spring 2027 semester.

The North Carolina Department of Transportation is accepting applications for its $2,500 HBCU/MSI Transportation Scholarship through midnight on November 9, 2026.

The program supports students preparing for careers connected to transportation. Eligible areas extend beyond engineering and include qualifying disciplines in business, communications, computer science, aviation, public policy and other fields.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and North Carolina residents enrolled full time at a participating institution. Additional requirements include a minimum 2.5 GPA and at least 24 completed undergraduate credit hours or nine graduate credit hours.

Students must submit an unofficial transcript, a resume and one recommendation letter with their application.

Review the participating schools and complete eligibility requirements before applying. Share this opportunity with a student who could use additional support.

Support our HBCU students as they prepare for their next chapter.

Source and application: NCDOT HBCU/MSI Transportation Scholarship

Tags: HBCU Original, HBCU scholarships, NCDOT, North Carolina, college scholarships, financial aid, student opportunities, transportation careers, higher education

Benedict and Kentucky State Bring Region’s Top Two Rankings to SIAC Championship

Benedict and Kentucky State will meet for the SIAC football championship with more than conference bragging rights on the line. The two programs hold the top spots in Super Region Two in the NCAA Division II football NPI rankings released Nov. 8, adding postseason significance to their upcoming showdown.

The Tigers will host the Thorobreds on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 10:30 a.m. ET at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. ESPNU will televise the game nationally.

According to the SIAC’s release, Benedict moved up two positions to take the region’s No. 1 ranking with an NPI of 62.956 and a 9–1 record against Division II opponents. The Tigers also reached No. 7 in the national NPI standings, the highest position held by an SIAC program.

Benedict earned the conference’s top seed and the opportunity to play for the championship at home by defeating Central State 45–38 on Saturday.

Kentucky State secured its championship berth with a 34–10 win over Morehouse. The Thorobreds enter the matchup ranked second in the region and 12th nationally, carrying a 62.150 NPI and an 8–1 record against Division II competition.

The championship arrives just one day before the NCAA Division II Football Selection Show, giving both teams one final opportunity to strengthen their postseason standing.

The SIAC’s presence in the regional rankings extends well beyond its championship participants. Conference programs occupy three of the top four spots and five of the top 10.

Central State sits fourth in Super Region Two with a 58.896 NPI despite its loss to Benedict. The Marauders are also 20th nationally, joining Benedict and Kentucky State among the country’s top 20 programs in the NPI standings.

Edward Waters holds the region’s No. 9 position, while Miles climbed four spots to No. 10. The Golden Bears reached the regional top 10 for the first time this season with a 53.831 NPI and a 5–3 record against Division II opponents.

Here is where SIAC programs stand in Super Region Two following games played through Nov. 7:

Albany State improved two positions to No. 15, while Allen rose four places to No. 22.

The SIAC release explains that the NPI system, introduced for Division II football in 2026, evaluates results and strength of schedule. It replaces the traditional regional ranking process while providing national and regional standings for championship consideration.

The NCAA Division II Football Selection Show is scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 15, at 6 p.m. ET. Final NPI rankings will be released publicly after the show.

For Benedict and Kentucky State, the immediate focus is Columbia, where the region’s two highest-ranked teams will compete for the SIAC crown. Support our HBCU schools as they prepare for championship weekend and the next step toward the NCAA postseason.

Source: Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, Nov. 8 release.

By HBCU Original | November 9–15, 2026

The postseason spotlight is turning toward HBCU women’s volleyball. The CIAA and SIAC will hold their championship tournaments this week, while MEAC and SWAC programs finish important conference matchups ahead of their tournaments later this month. The HBCUAC’s championship weekend falls just before this preview’s date range, placing that conference at a different stage of its postseason journey.

Here is the conference-by-conference outlook. All listed match times are Eastern.

CIAA: Eight Teams Chase the Championship in Rocky Mount

The 47th CIAA Volleyball Championship runs November 9–11 at the Rocky Mount Event Center in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Fayetteville State secured the No. 1 seed after a three-way tie with Virginia State and Livingstone required the conference’s tiebreaking procedures. Virginia State enters second and Livingstone third.

That tightly contested finish sets up a tournament where the top seed comes with opportunity, but little room for comfort.

No. 3 Livingstone vs. No. 6 Shaw1:30 p.m.

No. 2 Virginia State vs. No. 7 Bowie State4 p.m.

No. 1 Fayetteville State vs. No. 8 Bluefield State6:30 p.m.

The semifinals are Tuesday, November 10, at 2 p.m. and 4:30 p.m. The championship match follows Wednesday, November 11, at noon. Admission is free, with parking listed at $10.

SIAC: Fort Valley State Hosts a Championship Challenge

The SIAC tournament takes place November 10–12 at Fort Valley State University in Fort Valley, Georgia. The host school confirmed the three-day event following the conclusion of its regular season.

Spring Hill enters as the No. 1 seed after finishing conference play 19–0. Albany State follows with an 18–1 conference record, while Miles finished 15–4. Those records make the top of the bracket compelling, but all eight qualifiers have an opportunity to extend their seasons.

No. 2 Albany State vs. No. 7 Fort Valley State4:30 p.m.

No. 3 Miles vs. No. 6 Clark Atlanta7 p.m.

Benedict’s official tournament preview confirms these pairings and the three listed start times. It also identifies a Wednesday semifinal at 1 p.m. for the winners of Spring Hill–Benedict and Edward Waters–Tuskegee. Matches are scheduled to stream on the SIAC Network.

Spring Hill is an SIAC member, although it is not an HBCU; its inclusion reflects coverage of the full conference tournament.

MEAC: Friday Night Features All Eight Programs

The MEAC’s November 13 schedule brings four conference matchups, including Coppin State’s trip across Baltimore to face Morgan State. Howard welcomes Norfolk State, Delaware State hosts Maryland Eastern Shore, and South Carolina State faces North Carolina Central.

Norfolk State at HowardWashington, D.C.

North Carolina Central at South Carolina StateOrangeburg, South Carolina6 p.m.

Maryland Eastern Shore at Delaware StateDover, Delaware7 p.m.

The home schools’ schedules confirm these listings. Both Delaware State and Maryland Eastern Shore list 7 p.m., superseding the 6 p.m. time in the MEAC’s earlier broadcast announcement.

The MEAC championship tournament is scheduled for November 20–22 at Coppin State in Baltimore, according to the conference’s championship calendar. This Friday’s action offers teams another opportunity to build momentum before tournament play.

SWAC: A Full Weekend Before the Tournament

The SWAC’s upcoming slate includes six matches Friday and six Sunday. Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman host Jackson State and Mississippi Valley State, while the Texas and Alabama campuses welcome visiting conference opponents.

Jackson State at Bethune-Cookman6 p.m.

Grambling State at Prairie View A&M7 p.m.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Texas Southern7 p.m.

Southern at Alabama A&M7 p.m.

Alcorn State at Alabama State7 p.m.

Friday’s listings are supported by official school schedules, with Central times converted to Eastern.

Grambling State at Texas Southern1 p.m.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Prairie View A&M1 p.m.

The host schedules support the listed Sunday times. Alabama A&M lists its Alcorn State match at 11 a.m. Central, or noon Eastern; Alcorn lists noon Central, or 1 p.m. Eastern. Fans should confirm that start time with the host before traveling.

The SWAC tournament follows November 20–22 at Alabama State University in Montgomery, Alabama.

HBCUAC: Conference Tournament Falls Before This Week’s Window

The HBCUAC scheduled its championship tournament for November 6–8 at Bossier Parish Community College’s Billy Montgomery Gymnasium in Bossier City, Louisiana. Its semifinal slate featured Fisk against Paul Quinn and Talladega against Dillard, with the final scheduled for Sunday, November 8. The official tournament page reviewed for this preview had not yet posted a verified championship result.

That means the HBCUAC championship should not be listed as an upcoming November 9–15 event. The next national postseason dates to watch are the NAIA selection show on November 16 and opening-round matches on November 21. Qualifiers and opponents will depend on the official national field announcement.

Across the five conferences, this week brings championship opportunities, familiar opponents and the final preparations for tournament volleyball.

Who is your pick to make a postseason run? Represent your school and let HBCU Original know.

Information checked November 8, 2026. Match times remain subject to change; unresolved listings are identified above.

HBCU football | Week of November 9-15, 2026

Two conference championships, a full MEAC and SWAC slate and a handful of marquee non-conference matchups highlight HBCU football this weekend. The CIAA and SIAC each crown a champion on Saturday, while the MEAC and SWAC play the next-to-last weekend of their regular schedules.

All times Eastern. Schedules were checked Nov. 8 and are subject to change.

CIAA: Two Days of Football in Durham

The CIAA’s first expanded championship weekend lands at Durham County Memorial Stadium in Durham, North Carolina.

On Friday, Nov. 13, Virginia State meets Fayetteville State in the inaugural Friday Night Blitz at 6 p.m. The game pits the conference’s third- and fourth-ranked teams and gives both a chance to strengthen their NCAA playoff cases.

On Saturday, Nov. 14, top-seeded Virginia Union takes on Johnson C. Smith for the CIAA Championship at 3 p.m. It is a rematch of last year’s title game, which Smith won 45-21 to end a 55-year championship drought.

Virginia Union (9-1) earned the top seed by finishing 8-0 in conference play for the second straight year. The Panthers closed the regular season with a 36-14 win over Virginia State. Johnson C. Smith, the defending champion, reached the title game by beating Livingstone 27-14 in its finale and finished 7-1 in the CIAA.

SIAC: Benedict Hosts Kentucky State

The SIAC Championship is in Columbia, South Carolina, where Benedict hosts Kentucky State at Charlie W. Johnson Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff is 10:30 a.m. on ESPNU.

Benedict (9-1, 7-1 SIAC) earned its spot with a 45-38 win over Central State. Kentucky State (8-2, 7-1) arrives after a 34-10 win over Morehouse in which quarterback Juan Gainous threw for 405 yards and five touchdowns. The Thorobreds are making their second SIAC championship game appearance and are still chasing their first conference title as an SIAC member.

MEAC: Three Games, All Six Programs

All six MEAC football programs are in action Saturday, Nov. 14. Games are slated for ESPN networks, with final designations pending.

The headliner is North Carolina Central’s trip to South Carolina State. The Bulldogs arrive after a 35-28 win at Howard on Nov. 5 and have also beaten Morgan State 51-10 this season. N.C. Central (4-5) was 2-0 in MEAC play entering last Saturday’s game at Norfolk State.

SWAC: Six Games, All 12 Teams

Every SWAC team plays a conference opponent Saturday. Jackson State’s trip to Alabama State is on the ESPN schedule and could shape the East Division race.

Kickoffs reflect published schedules, with Central times converted to Eastern. The SWAC Championship Game is Dec. 5.

Around HBCU Football: Games Outside the Big Four

Several more HBCU programs are in action Saturday, Nov. 14:

North Carolina A&T at Hampton is a matchup of two HBCUs, and Tennessee State hosts an Eastern Illinois team from outside the HBCU ranks.

Which matchup has your attention, and who is bringing home a championship?