New Orleans, LA – Dillard has received a $289,920 grant from the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide awareness-raising training, community engagement sessions, and to create behavior threat assessment teams to build awareness, skill sets, and assessment systems on pre-incident indicators, risk factors, and the process of radicalization of targeted violence and terrorism, and violent extremism to law enforcement, faith leaders, community leader, k-12 and college students.
Dillard University is committed to leveraging this funding to strengthen community resilience and support at-risk youth. The university’s engagement in this initiative is part of a larger priority by DHS to address targeted violence prevention in underserved communities, aligning with Dillard’s mission to uplift and empower its community.
“We are honored to receive this grant, which reflects our dedication to fostering safe and supportive environments for our students and the broader community,” said Dr. Monique Guillory, Interim President. “This initiative not only enhances our educational programs but also promotes community well-being, resilience, and understanding among diverse populations.”
Dillard University, known for its commitment to social justice and community engagement, continues to stand at the forefront of addressing critical issues impacting society. This grant is a testament to the university’s proactive approach to building a safer, more inclusive environment for all. Additional goals for the grant is to create a targeted violence and terrorism prevention team, conduct training for the police department on targeted violence and terrorism prevention program, and conduct student training and student activities on targeted violence and terrorism prevention program
“Dillard University is honored to be awarded the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant. Terrorism takes many different forms locally, nationally, and internationally. We look forward to sharing knowledge and training with our students, community, and law enforcement officials to understand and combat terrorist acts,” said Dr. Ashraf Esmail, Director for the Center of Racial Justice. Training initiatives will aim to educate students on the complexities of terrorism, including its underlying causes, the societal factors that can lead to radicalization, and effective community responses. By integrating real-world scenarios and evidence-based practices into our curriculum, students will be prepared to become informed advocates for peace and security.
This funding is part of a broader initiative that awarded a total of $18 million to support programs aimed at developing and enhancing targeted violence and terrorism prevention strategies within local communities. The grant will enable Dillard University to implement innovative, multidisciplinary approaches aimed at preventing targeted violence, particularly among youth. Recognizing the critical need for effective prevention strategies, Dillard University joins 34 other selected organizations in this vital effort, emphasizing the importance of collaboration among educators, law enforcement, mental health providers, and community organizations.
For more information on the DHS TVTP Grant Program and Dillard University’s initiatives, please visit this webpage.
About Dillard University
Dillard University is a historically Black institution that cultivates leaders who live ethically, think and communicate precisely, and act courageously to make the world a better place. Located in New Orleans, Dillard is a private faith-based liberal arts university that offers 22 majors and two certificate programs. Ranked 5th on 2021 The New York Times Overall Mobility Index and 14th in 2022 by Academic Influence for Best Colleges and Universities by Academic Stewardship, Dillard’s call to future leaders is to Write Your Legacy. Find out more about Louisiana’s oldest HBCU by visiting www.dillard.edu.
