1890 Universities Foundation Announces its First-Ever Congressional Fellow
University of Maryland Eastern Shore honors graduate Ellis Collier, Esq. blazes the trail as the Inaugural Fellow working on agricultural policy while assigned to the House Agriculture Committee
The 1890 Universities Foundation has selected Ellis Collier, Esq. to serve as the first-ever 1890 Universities Foundation Congressional Fellow. The Congressional Fellowship is a new position for the 1890 Universities Foundation which, starting in 2021, will award a one-year salaried fellowship to a graduate of an 1890 University who will gain experience on Capitol Hill. Mr. Collier will be working on agricultural public policy issues and general legislative affairs.
“We are pleased to welcome Ellis Collier, the inaugural 1890 Universities Foundation Congressional Fellow, to the Committee and look forward to his contributions working on important public policy issues on our Agenda. Mr. Collier is an exemplary model of what our fantastic 1890s institutions have to offer in his commitment to agriculture policy and public service,” said Congressman David Scott, Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee.
Mr. Collier was selected from a pool of high-achieving graduates of 1890 universities. He is an honors graduate of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. During his undergraduate studies he was appointed as an USDA/1890 National Scholar sponsored by the Natural Resources Conservation Service.
He later earned a Juris Doctor from the University of Arkansas School of Law. Prior to being named as the 1890 Universities Foundation Congressional Fellow, Mr. Ellis was the Senior Legal Research Associate for the Agriculture Law Education Initiative (ALEI) at UMES Extension.
“We are extremely proud to have selected Ellis Collier to this prestigious fellowship. This is a historic milestone for the 1890 Universities Foundation as Mr. Collier is the first to be chosen to blaze the trail for other highly talented 1890 graduates to follow. I also want to recognize Cargill for their generous support of our 1890 Universities Foundation Congressional Fellowship,” said Dr. Mort Neufville, President and CEO of the 1890 Universities Foundation.
“Over a year ago, Cargill committed to accelerating equity for Black Americans, not only within our workplace but across the food and agriculture sector. Today, we are thrilled to celebrate Ellis Collier’s selection as the first 1890 Universities Foundation Congressional Fellow,” said Greg Jones, Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Cargill. “We sponsored this program, and launched our Black Farmer Equity Initiative, to demonstrate action, and to raise up diverse voices, perspectives and opportunities that advance equity and inclusion across our industry.”
"Growing up on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, 1890 Universities have been pivotal to my development academically, professionally, and personally. 1890 Universities are essential to the future of STEM, as they produce some of the brightest minds that this nation has to offer. I am thankful for the 1890 Universities Foundation for giving me the opportunity to work on Capitol Hill to effect change," said Ellis Collier, 1890 Universities Foundation Congressional Fellow.
Mr. Collier will officially begin serving as the 1890 Universities Foundation Congressional Fellow in early November.
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About the 1890 Universities Foundation
The 1890 Universities Foundation was established in December of 2016 to mobilize,manage resources,and facilitate implementation of collaborative,high-impact programs. The Foundation’s mission is to assist the 1890 universities by leveraging partnerships and charitable investments that fund innovative solutions to address compelling economic, social,health,environmental and technological challenges facing our communities, our nation,and the world.
The 1890 land-grant universities are: Alabama A&M University, Alcorn State University, Central State University, Delaware State University, Florida A&M University, Fort Valley State University, Kentucky State University, Langston University, Lincoln University in Missouri, North Carolina A&T State University, Prairie View A&M University, South Carolina State University, Southern University and A&M College, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Virginia State University and West Virginia State University. For more information and engagement, visit 1890foundation.org or go to Twitter @1890foundation.