The National Sponsored Programs Administrators Alliance of Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Inc. (NSPAA/HBCU’s, Inc.) continues to be a vital professional organization for the constituent institutions of higher education. Its mission, as indicated through its evolving historical development, remains one of assisting those institutions in the acquisition and the management of external support. The result should be a much larger and more equitable share of external funds for research and other sponsored programs. NSPAA provides assistance and services to the membership, funding agencies and others by way of its Annual Conferences, Advance Workshop Series, Technical Help Seminars, Networking Opportunities and publications, especially its official newsletter, “NSPAA’s Voice.” Subsequent to its First Annual Conference in Tuskegee, Alabama, NSPAA has conducted six (6) additional annual conferences to date. They were as follows:

•           Second Annual Conference — June 14-17, 1995. Ramada Inn North, Tallahassee, Florida. The theme for the second annual conference was, “The Sponsored Programs Administrators Mandate Management Marketing and Motivation.” The second annual conference was hosted by Florida A&M University and its Local Planning Committee headed by Franklin D. Hamilton, Vice President for Research and NSPAA’s first President. William B. DeLauder, President of Delaware State University delivered the keynote address for the opening session of NSPAA’s second annual conference.

•           Third Annual Conference and 1998 Advance Workshop Series — June 12-15, 1996. Harvey Hotel, Jackson, Mississippi. The theme for the third annual conference was, “Reshaping Sponsored Programs Initiatives: New Opportunities and New Expectations.” Co-hosts for the 1996 annual conference were Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Coahoma Community College and Tougaloo College.

This was the first NSPAA annual conference co-hosted by more than one higher educational institution. The keynote address for the Opening General Session was made by James E. Lyons, Sr., President, Jackson State University. The presidents of all of the co-hosting institutions were in attendance.

•           Fourth Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series — June 4-7, 1997, Wealth Peachtree Plaza Hotel, Atlanta, Georgia. The theme for the 1997 annual conference was, “Technological Innovation...The Changing Face of Sponsored Programs Administration.” Co-hosts were Clark Atlanta University, Morris Brown College, Interdenominational Theological Center, Morehouse College, Spelman College and Morehouse School of Medicine. The keynote address for the Opening General Session was delivered by Samuel D. Jolley, Jr., President of Morris Brown College. For the first time, NSPAA offered its members a certification course for sponsored programs administrators.

•           Fifth Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series — June 10-13, 1998, the Doubletree Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia. This 1998 annual conference theme was “Converting Today’s Actions into Tomorrow’s Achievements, Challenges in Sponsored Programs Administration.” Co-hosts for the Fifth Annual Conference were Norfolk State University, Hampton University, Saint Paul’s College, Virginia State University and Virginia Union University. The keynote address was delivered by Marie V. McDemmond, President, Norfolk State University. Another first time for NSPAA was the wonderful reception hosted by President McDemmond at her lovely home on the campus of Norfolk State University.

•           Sixth Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series — June 2-5, 1999, the Adams Mark Hotel and Resort, Houston, Texas. The sixth annual conference had as its theme, “Preparing Sponsored Programs Administrators for the New Millennium.” The keynote address for the opening general session was given by Priscilla D. Slade, Acting President, Texas Southern University. The 1999 conference was co-hosted by Texas Southern University, Wiley College, Prairie View A&M University, and Jarvis Christian College.

•           Seventh Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series — June 7-10, 2000, the Sheraton National Hotel, Arlington, Virginia. The theme for the 2000 year annual conference was, “Sponsored Programs Administration in the New Millennium: Maximizing Opportunities for Greater Success.” The keynote address was delivered by William B. DeLauder, President, Delaware State University. The 2000 annual conference was co-hosted by Delaware State University, Bowie State University, Coppin State University, Howard University, Morgan State University, and the University of the District of Columbia. The National Program Planning Committee was chaired by Samuel White, Vice President, Alcorn State University.

Marvin H. Watkins
Past-President NSPAA, Retired

            …and the history continues…

            Since the history review in 2000 by our past-President, Mr. Marvin H. Watkins, known by many in HBCU circles as the ‘Dean of Sponsored Programs’, NSPAA has successfully served the membership by conducting annual meetings as detailed below:

• Eighth Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series in 2001; Tennessee State University in Nashville, TN, served as the venue for a wonderful gathering.

•   Ninth Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series in 2003; Tuskegee Conference Center, Tuskegee, Alabama, Tuskegee University served as our gracious host.

•   Tenth Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series in 2004; Tuskegee Conference Center, Tuskegee, Alabama, Tuskegee University once again served as host and facilitator.

•   Eleventh Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series in 2005; Norfolk Waterside Sheraton Hotel, Norfolk, VA; Norfolk State University- like Tuskegee University- served as host for the second time.

•  Twelfth Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series June 7-11, 2006, coming soon to the Jackson Marriott, Jackson, MS. Jackson State University, Alcorn State University, Mississippi Valley State University, Tougaloo College and Rust College, served as hosts.

•  Thirteenth Annual Conference and Advance Workshop Series June 13-16, 2007 held in beautiful Charleston, SC at the Holiday Inn - Patriot's Point.  The Conference theme was "Pathways to Empowerment through Sponsored Programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities".

•  Fourteenth Annual Conference was held in St. Thomas, VI at the Wyndham Sugar Bay Spa and Resort June 24-27, 2008.