July 16, 2025
Atlanta – In 2022, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) announced 15 projects serving the people in every part of Georgia’s Fifth Congressional District, honoring the district’s civil rights legacy, reconnecting neighborhoods, building equitable infrastructure, and investing in HBCUs, specifically in the Atlanta University Center.
In 2023, she announced she had secured $2M to fund the opening of the Atlanta University Center Consortium (AUCC) Center for Excellence in Public/Government Service. The Center would train students from AUCC member undergraduate institutions of Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, & Spelman College for a wide range of public service careers. Upon completion, the Atlanta University Center Consortium Center for Excellence in Public/Government Service would be the first of its kind at a Historically Black College and University.
In 2024, a groundbreaking 8-week training program unfolded, offering an unparalleled journey for scholars and setting a new standard for experiential learning, curated by Project Director, Dr. Anika A. Evans. The program, an immersive blend of professional development and hands-on experience, included a transformative week in Washington, D.C., where 16 students from 11 HBCUs across the country were immersed in the heart of American political and federal systems, also ed by Project Coordinator Carol Magee.
In 2025, she met the 2nd Cohort of the program at her office in Washington D.C. As a steadfast advocate for social justice and an unwavering supporter of the program, Congresswoman Williams shared invaluable insights into the importance of inclusive policymaking, civic engagement, and the power of representation.
Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said: “You can’t be what you can’t see. When I secured $2 million in federal funding to launch the Center for Excellence in Public Service, I did so thinking of all our scholars who dream of making change but haven’t always seen themselves reflected in halls of power. Meeting with the second cohort of this leadership program was a full-circle moment—proof that investing in our HBCUs delivers real results. These future public servants remind us what happens when we design systems that center equity and access: we create pathways for more people to lead, serve, and shape the future.”
Dr. Michael Hodge, Executive Director of the AUCC, credits the program with bringing civics back into the consciousness of this generation of students.
“In times of shifting priorities and uncertainties around the roles of government, there are still highly qualified students going through our programs who are very much interested in still providing service through government work,” Hodge said.
Senior Director of Strategic Innovation and Academic Initiatives, Dr. Michael Hines, applauds Congresswoman Williams for, “steadfast advocacy for social justice and an unwavering supporter of our program, sharing invaluable insights into the importance of inclusive policymaking, civic engagement, and the power of representation.”
Dr. Evans and the CFE staff, as well as the program scholars, are deeply grateful for her time, encouragement, and continued support in inspiring the next generation of public service leaders.
More details to come as the program concludes in mid-July as another cohort of students from HBCU’s around the country graduate and share their insights on the role of the program in their collegiate experience.
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