Alcorn State University President Dr. M. Christopher Brown II has been named to the advisory council of the American Commonwealth Project, a one-year national venture to address civic developments in higher education.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to participate in this important project,” Brown said in a press release. “This is further recognition of Alcorn State University’s reputation as the nation’s first historically black land-grant institution and its commitment to its founding mission to provide excellent teaching, research and outreach programs.”

The project, launched by the White House Office of Public Engagement and the Center for Democracy and Citizenship, is a partnership among colleges and universities, the White House and federal agencies.

ACP will research and discuss the civic history of higher education, the civic nature of disciplines and professions, student civic learning, public scholarship and community partnerships.

Representatives from the three partners will meet in a series of national video conferences.

The council will officially meet in September, and the project will culminate in July with a national conference in Washington, D.C., where members will present their findings. The conference will be on the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which established land-grant colleges.

In addition to Brown, serving on the council are Nancy Cantor of Syracuse University, chairman; Judith Ramaley of Winona State University; Paul Pribbenow of Augsburg College; and Brian Murphy of De Anza Community College.

Also, Brown participated Friday in the White House Community Leaders Briefing Series, a daylong session of meetings with the White House OPE in Washington about issues affecting communities across the country. Talks to expand ASU’s community outreach and services are ongoing, Brown said in the press release.

Brown became ASU’s 18th president in January.