Delaware State University (DSU) has achieved an impressive milestone. It has moved up in the Carnegie Classifications, now holding the R2 status. This makes DSU one of just 14 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to reach this level.
Melissa Harrington, the Associate Vice President of Research at DSU, shared what this upgrade means. “R2 status indicates a strong research focus and the production of doctoral degrees,” she explains. While it’s not the top level, it’s a significant step up towards excellence in research.
Currently, Howard University is the only HBCU that has reached the highest R1 level. To be classified as R2, universities must average at least 20 doctoral degrees each year and have over $5 million in research funding annually.
Last year, DSU exceeded these criteria by a wide margin. The university had more than 40 doctoral graduates and research expenditures hit $45 million, a dramatic increase from $17 million in 2017.
Harrington sees this growth as a tool for attracting new talent. “We aim to be recognized for our research, involving students in groundbreaking projects. We want to equip our doctoral graduates to become future scientists and leaders in higher education and beyond,” she says. This focus not only cultivates leaders for tomorrow but also ensures impactful research opportunities for undergraduates.
