PHILADELPHIA — During his speech at the 2024 National HBCU Week conference in Philadelphia, Joe Biden highlighted the successful implementation of a federal program at Norfolk State University that helps veterans get electronic manufacturing jobs.
NSU is one of several institutions that partnered with the U.S. Department of Commerce's program, CHIPS for America. The program works with the Department of Labor's Veterans’ Employment and Training Service and other HBCUs to increase involvement from historically marginalized communities. At NSU, the Nanomanufacturing Certificate Program (NCP) is a 12-week course that lets students work with Micron, a semiconductor manufacturer, to produce microchips, with the long-term goal of using domestically-produced microchips in weapons systems and avoid risks to national security.
"Recently, I was in New York, where I announced a significant CHIPS investment with Micron ... which partnered with Norfolk State University to build a 6,000 square foot high-tech facility for students and other researchers," Biden said, referring to the Nanofabrication Cleanroom in the Marie V. McDemmond Center for Applied Research building.
CHIPS Chief Strategy Officer Morgan Dwyer said in a July statement about the partnership, "We need all hands on deck ... Pursuing a career in semiconductor manufacturing truly represents an act of service to our country and to our national security."
The National HBCU Week conference this year had the theme of "Raising the Bar: Where Excellence and Opportunity Meet," allowing for HBCU executive leadership, faculty, students, federal agencies, the private sector and the philanthropic community to discuss the best methods for improving education, increasing degree completion and ensuring systemic inequalities are addressed.
"Together, Kamala [Harris] and I know that an education makes a person free," Biden said during his remarks. "HBCUs' education makes you fearless as well. It matters."