Thursday became a historic night as Vice President Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic party's nomination as president for the 2024 elections.
Harris is the first African American woman to become the top of a presidential ticket for any party. While the moment was historic for Shaw University President Dr. Paulette Dillard, she said it was hardly surprising.
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“It’s not unbelievable,” she said. “She’s currently the vice president. So, seeing her get that nomination and being at the top of that ticket? It just seems like that’s the way it ought to be.”
As neighboring HBCU St. Augustine’s University struggled financially and nearly stripped of its accreditation, Dillard hopes Harris will continue investing in HBCUs, like Shaw and St. Augustine’s, if she wins the election in November.
“Infrastructure is one of our biggest issues. We have not been funded at levels that have allowed us to keep our campuses up to date, and we all suffer from deferred maintenance and those kinds of things,” Dillard said.
Dillard hosted then-Senator Harris in 2020 at Shaw University. Harris is an HBCU alum herself, having graduated from Howard University, and Dillard believes that experience will allow Harris to do what is best for HBCUs.
"It's easier for her to advocate on our behalf, and not based on what she's being told, but what she's experienced," she said. ""So if they continue, or she continues, along the path that they're already on, I think HBCUs will benefit enormously from her presidency."
Dillard said this school year, the energy for Harris among her students is palpable, especially with young women.
“If there is hope, the possibilities are unlimited,” she said. “I’m just so excited about the positive dialogue, narrative and discussions that are more about possibilities and less about separation and negativity.”
While she is hopeful about Harris’ nomination, Dillard said her fears for the campaign being turned divisive.
“The polarization of our nation as it becomes more personal leading up to election day,” she said. “I fear for her safety, you know? I fear for the impact on family and friends.”
While she fears for the civility of the campaigning between Harris and Republican nominee and former President Donald Trump, she remains hopeful people will remain civil as the election approaches.
“We can do this with civility,” she said. “We can do this with diplomacy. We can do this by caring for each other as neighbors, [and] as citizens.