Old Dominion University received a $530,990 Project Grant from the Department of Education's Office of Postsecondary Education under the Higher Education Institutional Aid program (CFDA 84.031), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The award funds the development and implementation of "Experience Guaranteed," an institutional-wide, culturally-inclusive experiential learning program designed to enhance educational access and outcomes for underrepresented students. This initiative supports Old Dominion University's capacity-building efforts to strengthen academic quality and student success through structured experiential learning opportunities that integrate cultural competency and inclusive pedagogical practices.
The project aligns with the Higher Education Institutional Aid program's core mission to strengthen management, fiscal operations, and academic quality at eligible colleges and universities. As a public research institution in Norfolk, Virginia, Old Dominion University will leverage this funding to develop program infrastructure, design curriculum enhancements, and establish systems to ensure equitable access to experiential learning for underrepresented student populations, contributing to broader institutional efforts to improve student retention and academic excellence.