6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Welcome Reception

Tuesday, 14 December 2004

7:00 am – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am – 8:10 am

Presentation of the Colors by National Guard Unit
National Anthem by Mr. Eric Arceneaux, Student, Xavier University of Louisiana
Pledge of Allegiance by LTC James Blanco, Assistant to the Director, US Army Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

8:10 am – 8:30 am

Welcome to New Orleans, LA
Ms. Arlinda Pierce Westbrook, Senior Chief Deputy City Attorney, City of New Orleans City Attorney’s Office

8:30 am – 8:45 am

Administrative Announcements/ Program and Conference Overview
Mr. Ronald E. Blakely, HBCU/MI Program Manager, US Army Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

8:45 am – 9:45 am

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Ms. Tracey L. Pinson, Director, US Army Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization
This session will provide an overview on the US Army Small Business Program and how HBCUs and MIs relate to the overall goals and the Director’s commitment.

Welcoming Comments
Dr. Norman Francis, President, Xavier University, will provide a welcome to the conference participants on behalf of Xavier University of Louisiana. He will also discuss the role Xavier University plays in the city and the strength of its math and science programs.

9:45 am – 10:00 am Break

10:00 am – 10:45 am

Army Transformation Initiative
BG Vincent K. Brooks, Chief of Public Affairs, Office of the Chief of Public Affairs, will provide information on what the Army is currently doing, where it is going, and how it relates to HBCUs and MIs. The Army is changing the way they handle contracts and grants. In order for the HBCUs and MIs to remain competitive and in the forefront they need to start thinking outside of the box. BG Brooks will provide critical information to HBCUs and MIs to assist them in repositioning themselves for success with the Army.

10:45 am – 12:15 pm

Emerging Research Trends
Mr. John Miller, Director, Army Research Laboratory, will discuss the impact of the DoD infrastructure program and Army programs managed by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL)/Army Research Office (ARO). He will also discuss current HBCU and MI partnerships within ARL/ARO.
Mr. Todd Turner, U.S. Army Research Laboratory Liaison to the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Research and Technology, will discuss the emerging trends in Army research programs. He will also highlight where the Army’s research and development funds are invested and where the Army is going next.

12:15 pm – 1:45 pm Luncheon

“Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders”
BG Robert Crear, Commander, Mississippi Valley Division, Army Corps of Engineers

1:45 pm – 3:00 pm Contracting and Human Resource Initiatives Panel

Ms. Suellen Jeffress, Associate Director, Army Contracting Agency, will discuss the Army Contracting Agency’s mission and how it relates to HBCUs and MIs. She will also cover grant and contracting opportunities.
Mr. Luther Santiful, Director, Department of Army Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Civil Rights, will share an overview of the Army Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Program, the Minority College Relations Program, and share data on minorities in the military.
Mr. Clarence Johnson, DoD Principal Director for Equal Opportunity, will discuss the relationship between the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Office and EEO. He will also discuss the importance of building stronger relationships with HBCUs and MIs to increase funding.

3:00 pm – 3:15 pm Break

3:15 pm – 4:00 pm

DoD Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization Update
Mr. Frank Ramos, Director, DoD SADBU, will provide an overview on the OSD Small Business Program and the HBCU/MI Strategic Plan. He will also share steps taken to build a stronger partnership with HBCUs and MIs.

4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Breakout Session:Planning and Developing Winning Grant Proposals
Ms. Dorothy W. Huston, President and CEO, TMT Group
This session will provide strategies for HBCUs and MIs on how to build research and development infrastructure internally, understanding the fundamentals of successful proposals, identifying and certifying capabilities, and basic components of winning proposals.

Wednesday, 15 December 2004

7:00 am – 8:00 am Continental Breakfast

8:00 am – 8:15 am

Administrative Announcements
Mr. Ronald E. Blakely, HBCU/MI Program Manager, US Army Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization

8:15 am – 9:15 am

HBCU/MI Research Capabilities Panel
Ms. Barbara Kimbell, Special Assistant to the Vice President for Research, University of New Mexico
Mr. James Griffin, Lab Manager, Howard University
Presidents will discuss their individual school and highlight their research capabilities. They will also take the opportunity to focus on what the Army can do for HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), and Tribal Colleges and Universities to improve research capabilities and to create future successful relationships.

9:15 am – 10:15 am

HBCU/MI Advocacy Panel
Dr. Gumecindo Salas, Vice President of Government Relations, HACU
Ms. Lezli Baskerville, President, NAFEO
Ms. Carrie Billy, Deputy Director, AIHEC
What can schools do to develop relationships with the Army, and in turn how can the Army strengthen the capabilities of the schools?

10:15 am – 10:30 am Break

10:30 am – 11:30 am

HBCU/MI Program Services Overview
Dr. Vallen Emery, Minority Outreach Program Manager, U.S. Army Research Laboratory
Mr. Anthony Junior, Director, Department of the Navy’s (DON) HBCU/MI Program Office
Dr. Alain Hunter, Program Manager, HBCU/MI Air Force OSADBU
This panel will provide an update on HBCU/MI Programs within the different services and will focus on current opportunities for HBCUs and MIs.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm

White House Initiatives Panel
Mr. Earl Hayes, Deputy Director/Program Manager for the White House Initiative on HBCUs
Ms. Diane L. Cullo, Executive Director, White House Initiative on Tribal Colleges and Universities
The White House Initiatives Panel will provide policy guidance on what to expect during the next four years of the President’s term. They will focus in on legislative initiatives, increased program funding, and many more important items.

12:30 pm – 1:45 pm Luncheon

“Why is it important for HBCUs and MIs to participate in the Army Sponsored Programs?”
Mr. Louis Caldera, President, University of New Mexico

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Concurrent Breakout Sessions

1. Army
Moderator: Richard Bailey, Small Business Specialist & HBCU/MI Program Manager, OSADBU, HQ Army Materiel Command
This session will provide information on current contracting and grant opportunities within the Department of the Army and highlight success stories from the different Commands. The presenters represent the leading funding organizations within the Army.

2. Navy
Moderator: Mr. Anthony Junior, Director, Department of the Navy’s (DON) HBCU/MI Program Office
Walter L. Dixon, Ph.D., Office of Naval Research
This session will focus on current opportunities within the Navy and Marine Corps. The objective of the Navy's program is to increase the participation of HBCU/MIs in the Navy’s science and technology research programs and to increase the number of students from underrepresented groups who are graduating in science, engineering, and mathematics with the intention of attending graduate school and ultimately completing their doctoral degree. The program also seeks to identify the next generation of scientists and engineers who may choose to work for the Navy (civilian or military).

3. Air Force
Moderator: Dr. Alain Hunter, Program Manager, HBCU/MI, Air Force OSADBU
This session will address when and how to pursue opportunities with the Air Force to obtain training and contract/grant opportunities.

4. Intelligence Agencies
Moderator: Ms. Pat McCaa, Chief, Diversity Outreach Division, National Security Agency
This session will provide an overview of the mission of the Intelligence Community (IC), the launching of an innovative pilot program called the Centers of Academic Excellence (CAE), opportunities for building relationships with IC Agencies, and examples of successful partnerships between the IC and HBCU/MIs.