On March 20, 2025, Congressman Richard Hudson, representing North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District and serving as chairman of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, visited North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (N.C. A&T) to observe the university’s advancements in research and technology. Hudson, also a member of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus, was welcomed by Chancellor James R. Martin II and Associate Vice Chancellor of External Affairs Oliver M. Thomas, Ph.D.
The visit commenced at the Harold L. Martin Sr. Engineering Research and Innovation Complex, a four-story, 130,000-square-foot facility completed in 2021. This state-of-the-art complex houses advanced research facilities, including makerspaces, high-bay drone development rooms, collaboration spaces, and well-appointed laboratories.
During his tour, Congressman Hudson engaged with faculty members such as Dr. Kaushik Roy in the Cybersecurity & Artificial Intelligence Lab; Dr. Ali Karimoddini in the ACCESS Lab, where Hudson participated in a driving simulation; and Dr. Sun Yi in the FIRST Lab and the Holographic Studio. These interactions highlighted N.C. A&T’s commitment to cutting-edge research in areas like engineering, advanced computing, robotics, and autonomous vehicles.
Expressing his enthusiasm, Hudson stated, “I am excited to represent one of the top universities in America right here at North Carolina A&T State University. I was so impressed by what the university is doing in areas like engineering, advanced computing, robotics, and autonomous vehicles. Our students will be prepared to lead America into the future.”
N.C. A&T has demonstrated significant growth and achievement in recent years. In the 2023-24 academic year, the university’s enrollment reached 13,883 students, continuing a decade-long trend of increasing student population. Additionally, over the past five years, contract and grant funding has grown to $485 million, reinforcing N.C. A&T’s status as one of North Carolina’s top three public research universities and the nation’s leading public historically Black research institution.
Hudson’s visit underscores N.C. A&T’s role as a hub of innovation and an economic driver for North Carolina, highlighting the university’s dedication to advancing research and preparing students for leadership in emerging technological fields.
