Powering HBCU Minds: Paine College Showcases Academic Excellence in 33rd Honda Campus All-Star Challenge

Augusta, GA – The journey to the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge (HCASC) National Championship Tournament is underway for the team of scholars from Paine College. Now in its 33rd year, HCASC is America's premier academic competition among HBCUs, annually bringing together more than 300 HBCU students, coaches, presidents and institutional representatives for a tournament that uniquely combines educational and personal development experiences beyond the classroom. After advancing in the preliminary rounds of the HCASC National Championship Series, Paine College is one of 16 teams that will compete in the HCASC Playoffs on March 20 with the goal of advancing to the HCASC National Championship Tournament, April 10-12.

This is the 19th year Paine College has participated in the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge. Davian Manley, a Senior majoring in History from Atlanta, GA, Hezekiah E. Harty a Senior majoring in History from Milledgeville, GA, Charleston Lee a Senior majoring in Mathematics from Augusta, GA and Kashala Hall a Sophomore majoring in Business from Abbeville, AL will represent Paine College. Uzetta Colette Gresham will coach the team.

Honda Campus All-Star Challenge is a year-round program celebrating Black excellence and showcasing the academic talents of top HBCU students from across the country. Four-student teams face off in head-to-head competition and must quickly answer questions about history, science, literature, religion, math, the arts, pop culture, and sports. HCASC challenges students to expand their scope of knowledge on a wide range of topics while also helping to develop their leadership and collaboration skills. With the opportunity to compete against students from other HBCUs, participants build camaraderie, gain mentorship opportunities with HCASC alumni, and make "friends for life." Beyond the competition, Honda provides development seminars aimed at increasing career readiness and student empowerment. Students will learn interview tips, resume writing best practices, and ways to prepare for post-graduation success.

"Honda applauds the students from Paine College for their incredible dedication to preparing for HCASC," said Yvette Hunsicker, vice president of Corporate Social Responsibility and Inclusion & Diversity at American Honda Motor Co., Inc. "For over 30 years, Honda Campus All-Star Challenge has brought together the best and brightest HBCU students for a celebration of academic excellence. We are excited to cheer on the students and crown the 2022 HCASC national champion."

The virtual HCASC Playoffs featuring the top 16 teams will stream live at HCASC.com starting at 1:00 PM EDT on March 20. Paine College will compete to secure its spot in the HCASC National Championship Tournament, April 10-12, and vie for the top prize – a $75,000 institutional grant from Honda.

This year, Honda will provide nearly $400,000 in institutional grants to the participating HBCUs with many of the schools utilizing the grants to fund student scholarships. More than 145,000 scholars have competed in HCASC since the academic tournament was established in 1989.

Honda and Historically Black Colleges and Universities
For over 30 years, Honda has supported the success and dreams of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) students through initiatives including the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and Honda Battle of the Bands. These programs provide unforgettable experiences and opportunities for HBCU students, including meeting and networking with peers from other HBCU schools. Honda has impacted the lives of more than 200,000 students and awarded over $14 million in grants in support of HBCU education programs and facilities improvements.

To advance its leading investment in HBCUs, Honda is a member of the HBCU Partnership Challenge, a Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus initiative that brings together government, industry and HBCUs to create strategic, more sustainable HBCU partnerships. Honda also has partnered with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide annual scholarship funding to support HBCU students pursuing an education in engineering, supply chain management and manufacturing-related fields.