Courtesy of GSU Communications
Following approval of the partnership’s Memorandum of Understanding by the University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, Grambling State University, Grambling High Foundation, Inc., and Lincoln Preparatory School announced a three-year collaboration to strengthen student success, expand college and career readiness, and support educator development in the Grambling community.
The partnership will connect students and educators with university resources, expertise and experiences through dual enrollment, college-readiness programming, teacher residency and educator preparation, professional development, student enrichment, and workforce exposure. A joint steering structure and shared performance framework will guide implementation and monitor progress.
“For me, this partnership is personal,” said Martin Lemelle, Jr., president of Grambling State University. “I am a graduate of Grambling Laboratory High School, and I know what it means for young people in this community to grow up seeing Grambling State University as part of their own educational journey. Lincoln Prep carries forward that educational tradition. Together, we will honor that legacy by giving the next generation earlier access to college experiences, stronger academic support, and more opportunities to see what their futures can hold.”
Lemelle also acknowledged Dr. Kala Burrell-Craft, dean of GSU’s College of Education, for her leadership in advancing the collaboration.
“I am grateful to Dean Burrell-Craft for helping move this partnership forward and connecting our commitment to student success with the preparation and support of outstanding educators,” Lemelle said.
“Lincoln Prep is focused on building a stronger academic and organizational foundation for our students,” said Rashid Young, executive director of Lincoln Preparatory School. “This partnership connects our students and educators to the expertise and opportunities of Grambling State University—from college readiness and dual enrollment to professional development, enrichment, and workforce experiences. It is an investment in what our students can become and in the future of this community.”
The partnership builds on the longstanding educational connection between Grambling State University and the school community that once included the Grambling Laboratory Schools. Today, Lincoln Prep continues that educational tradition as an independent public charter school governed by Grambling High Foundation, Inc. The agreement creates a framework for a K–12-to-college pathway while preserving the separate governance, financial operations and legal responsibilities of each institution.
“Our board’s responsibility is to pair opportunity with accountability,” said Kennedy Jones, president and board chair of the Grambling High Foundation Board of Directors. “This agreement establishes a thoughtful framework for collaboration while preserving the independence and responsibilities of each institution. We are excited about a partnership that is student-centered, measurable, and built for long-term community impact.”
The work is supported in part by a $10,000 HBCU-K12 exploratory grant from UNCF and $350,000 in legislative appropriations identified to support partnership implementation, subject to applicable funding requirements and institutional approvals. The UNCF grant supports planning, stakeholder engagement, research, convenings, feasibility analysis and other partnership-development activities, and connects GSU to a national cohort of HBCU-K12 partnership institutions.
Initial priorities are expected to include:
• College-readiness programming and ACT preparation.
• Dual enrollment and early exposure to university life and academic programs.
• Educator preparation, teacher residency opportunities and professional learning.
• Student enrichment, career exploration and workforce experiences.
• A shared performance dashboard to track participation and student outcomes.
The institutions plan to celebrate the partnership with a community event and MOU signing ceremony during the week of November 2, 2026. Lincoln Prep students are also expected to participate in Grambling State University’s High School Day on November 7, providing an early opportunity to experience the campus and explore college pathways.
