AUA College of Medicine Signs MOU with HBCU in South Carolina

Students at a historically Black College (HBCU) in South Carolina have better opportunities to pursue their medical education at an accredited medical school through a new partnership between American University of Antigua College of Medicine (AUA) and Benedict College.

AUA and Benedict signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that guarantees admission to qualifying Benedict College students and strengthens the pipeline of diverse, future physicians. This collaboration underscores both institutions’ shared commitment to learner-centric education, equitable access to high-quality academic programs, and builds a physician workforce that reflects the communities it serves—both regionally and nationally.

From Left to Right (sitting) – Ms. Ninoska Polanco, Associate Director of Admissions, AUA. Mr. Joshua James, Director of Admissions, AUA.  Dr. Janeen Witty, Vice President for Academic Affairs, Benedict College. Dr. Jessica Furrer, Interim Dean, School of Science & Engineering, Benedict College. 
 
From Left to Right (standing) – Ms. Meisha Gay Murray, Current Student, Benedict College (Accepted student at AUA COM Fall 2025). Ms. Attoria Bennett, Current Student, Benedict College (Accepted student at AUA COM Fall 2025). Dr. Lowe Larry, Chair, Department of Biology, Benedict College. Dr. Amanda Shaw, Assistant Professor/Pre-Health Coordinator – Department of Biology, Benedict College.

“This collaboration with a historically Black college is a testament to AUA’s commitment to diversity, equity, and opportunity in medical education which is an essential part of our mission,” said Joshua James, Director of Admissions at AUA.

“We are excited about the opportunities that this partnership with AUA opens for Benedict students. Creating pathways for highly skilled and culturally competent Black professionals to enter the healthcare field Is core to our mission.” said Jessica Furrer, Dean of the School of Science and Engineering at Benedict College.

The MOU will remain in effect for an initial five-year period, giving both institutions the flexibility to assess outcomes and explore expanded opportunities for collaboration. 

Benefits for graduates of Benedict include:

• Guaranteed admission into AUA’s MD program provided that they have, at the time of their graduation, a GPA above 3.0 and otherwise meet AUA’s admission requirements as set forth on AUA’s website https://www.auamed.org/admissions/admissions-requirements/ as of the date

that the interested applicant applies for admission into AUA’s program;

• a waived application fee for interested Benedict applications;

• an expedited admissions timeline, including application review, interview and decision; and

• upon acceptance, once a student commits their intent to attend, a waiver of the obligation to pay AUA a pre-registration seat deposit.

Benedict graduates accepted into AUA’s MD program under this agreement will also be eligible for a $5,000 Preferred Program Grant:

• These grants will be disbursed in increments of $1,000 for each of the five Academic Periods in the Pre-Clinical Sciences Curriculum;

• AUA will award 5 grants per each of the two entering classes that AUA seats during each of its academic years during the term of this Memorandum of Understanding for a total of 10 grants per each such academic year. AUA will award these grants to Benedict graduates in each of the two entering classes, in the order in which they enroll into AUA’s M.D. program;

• All Benedict graduates who attend AUA’s M.D. program, regardless of whether they receive a Preferred Program Grant, may be eligible to receive other AUA scholarships and awards;

• All Benedict graduates who attend AUA’s MD Program and who are underrepresented in medicine may qualify for AUA’s Physician Diversification Initiative Scholarship. Please refer to AUA’s website for further details https://www.auamed.org/admissions/scholarships/; and,

• All Benedict graduates who attend AUA’s M.D. program shall also be eligible to receive other scholarships, grants and/or awards as AUA may offer to other students in its M.D. program who satisfy the requirements for them.

“Working with HBCUs like Benedict allows us to actively create pathways for students who are traditionally underrepresented in medicine, and we’re proud to welcome their aspiring physicians into our academic community,” said James.

This agreement reflects the shared vision of both AUA and Benedict College in supporting a diverse, global community of future healthcare professionals. Benedict students will benefit from a streamlined pathway into AUA’s esteemed MD program, while AUA gains talented, driven students who will contribute meaningfully to the medical field—creating a collaborative model that strengthens the future of medicine.