The office has several core programs and functions as outlined below:

• HBCU/MSI Fellowship Program
• HBCU/MSI ​Internship Program
  
• National Summer Transportation​ Institute
  
• HBCU/MSI Scholarship Program
• HBCU/MSI Research Consortium

For more information about any of the programs listed below, please contact the Office of HBCU Outreach.

HBCU/MSI Fellowship Program

The fellowship​ program offers workplace experiences and learning opportunities at NCDOT to recent graduates with a bachelor’s or master’s degree from one of the state’s HBCU or MSI. "Recent graduates" refers to people who have graduated within the past three years.

​​Fellows serve a 2-year commitment in a NCDOT unit/division where they learn about the agency and participate in professional certification and development opportunities. Fellows will be placed in positions at the department, as needed, and will gain knowledge and experience to prepare them for permanent employment. Fellows work 40 hours per week as temporary employees and are paid a competitive wage.
​
The fellowship application period is now closed for 2024.
​

HBCU/MSI Internship Program

The summer internship​ program is an ideal way for graduate and undergraduate students to gain work experience with NCDOT, while learning what a career in the transportation industry can offer. 

The internships also include professional development workshops on résumé building, business writing, networking and other work skills.

The internship application period is now closed for 2024.​

​

​HBCU/MSI Scholarship Program

The scholarship​ program helps foster new and diverse transportation professionals. Scholarships support HBCU/MSI students pursuing undergraduate and graduate degrees in transportation-related fields at one of North Carolina’s HBCU/MSI. 

This program provides financial assistance each academic year. 

​National Summer Transportation Institute

The Office of HBCU Outreach sponsors one of the Federal Highway Administration’s key educational initiatives, the National Summer Transportation Institute. The institute is a summer STEM program aimed at introducing middle and high school students – particularly minority, female, and disadvantaged youth – to transportation careers and transportation-related courses of study in science, technology and math. 

Learn more about the student experience at the National Transportation Summer Institute in this video​​ provided by Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte.

​HBCU/MSI Research Consortium

HBCU Outreach in collaboration with NCDOT’s Office of Research and Development promotes partnership and research opportunities with HBCU/MSI through the HBCU/MSI Research Consortium. The consortium’s primary objectives include: 

• ​Building capacity of transportation research at all HBCU/MSI in North Carolina
• Leveraging North Carolina’s HBCU assets as community anchors and conveners
• Expanding innovative research that is beneficial to NCDOT
  

​​