Executive Order Signals Full Federal Backing for Engagement with HBCUs and BEYA STEM 2026
BALTIMORE - The federal government has officially opened the door for expanded agency engagement with one of the nation's most impactful STEM events. On April 23, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a significant Executive Order establishing the White House Initiative to Promote Excellence and Innovation at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) — laying the foundation for robust federal involvement in the upcoming 40th BEYA STEM Conference, scheduled for February 2026 in Baltimore, Maryland.
Sponsored by the Council of Engineering Deans of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and USBE magazine, the BEYA STEM Conference is the nation's longest-running and most comprehensive forum for advancing technical education, workforce readiness, and innovation across both public and private sectors.
The conference connects stakeholders from over 300 colleges and universities across the U.S. — including all ABET-accredited HBCU engineering schools — and brings together students, faculty, researchers, agency leaders, and industry professionals in a unified effort to build America's technical workforce.
"This Executive Order is a clear signal," said Tyrone Taborn, CEO of Baltimore-based Career Communications Group and founder of the BEYA STEM Conference. "Federal agencies now have full policy alignment to engage with HBCUs through BEYA — to recruit, to collaborate, and to lead."
Executive Support for Action
The April 2025 Executive Order directs federal departments and agencies to:
- Support HBCUs in expanding access to federal research and workforce development programs
- Build strategic public-private partnerships that promote innovation
- Assist with campus modernization and infrastructure readiness
- Develop pipelines into high-priority fields like engineering, AI, cybersecurity, and manufacturing
- Implement and report progress as required by the HBCU PARTNERS Act (Public Law 116-270)
These objectives are fully aligned with the structure and purpose of the BEYA STEM Conference — a proven platform for results-driven collaboration between government, academia, and employers.
BEYA STEM Conference: A National Hub for Workforce Readiness
Held annually, the BEYA STEM Conference attracts:
- Over 10,000 attendees, including 3,000+ HBCU STEM students
- Federal and defense agency leaders, R&D officers, and program managers
- Deans and faculty from engineering schools at HBCUs and other institutions nationwide
- Innovators, contractors, and solution providers from the technology and scientific communities
Participation gives agencies a unique opportunity to:
- Recruit high-achieving talent from across 300+ partner schools
- Lead or attend mission-relevant panels and briefings
- Engage in matchmaking meetings with HBCU leadership
- Nominate team members for national honors and recognition
Meeting National Priorities in STEM
The Executive Order emphasizes the importance of:
- Enhancing America's global competitiveness through technical education
- Building capacity at HBCUs for advanced research and workforce preparation
- Ensuring the federal government actively engages with academic institutions on mission-critical goals
BEYA 2026 in Baltimore, MD will serve as a national touchpoint for these efforts — providing a stage for showcasing agency programs, investing in student outcomes, and aligning talent acquisition with the nation's broader technology and innovation strategy.
"The 40th BEYA Conference is a once-in-a-generation opportunity," said Taborn. "It brings together more than 300 universities, including HBCUs, and unites the federal government with the next generation of problem-solvers."
How Federal Agencies Can Participate
Agencies are invited to:
- Exhibit at the Federal STEM Career Fair
- Lead or sponsor breakout sessions and workforce development tracks
- Nominate staff for BEYA's National STEM Leadership Awards
- Meet with HBCU faculty and deans for collaboration and research discussions
- Contribute to forums focused on AI, cybersecurity, clean energy, defense, and healthcare
For government participation details, visit www.beya.org or contact the BEYA Government Relations Team at [insert contact email].
About the BEYA STEM Conference
The BEYA (Becoming Everything You Are) STEM Conference is the nation's leading event for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics leadership. Sponsored by the Council of Engineering Deans of the HBCUs, and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, BEYA engages over 300 universities nationwide, uniting federal agencies, educators, and employers to support America's workforce and innovation goals.