Sonja Alexander Headquarters, Washington November 2, 2001 (Phone: 202/358-1761) Crystal Gathers Kennedy Space Center, Fla. (Phone: 321/867-9169) NOTE TO EDITORS: N01-65 NASA TO "SHARE THE OPPORTUNITIES" WITH MINORITY UNIVERSITY PRESIDENTS AND ADMINISTRATORS NASA officials from across the agency will meet with minority university presidents and administrators to discuss issues facing the minority university community. "Share the Opportunities" is the principle theme for a NASA conference hosted by the Kennedy Space Center, Fla., for university presidents and top administrators from Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, and Tribal Colleges and Universities. The conference is scheduled for Nov. 29 to Dec. 1, 2001, at the Renaissance Orlando Resort in Orlando, Fla. Dr. Louis W. Sullivan, president of Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and Secretary of Health and Human Services under former President George H. W. Bush, will be one of the keynote speakers. Kennedy Space Center Director Roy Bridges and Deputy Director James L. Jennings also will attend the conference. By gathering suggestions from the leadership of the minority institutions represented, NASA hopes to take positive steps to forge partnerships with the universities. NASA will "Share The Opportunities" by identifying and describing competitive research opportunities in NASA's five strategic enterprises; by providing opportunities to network with each of NASA's 10 centers to explore areas of mutual expertise; and by discussing competitive funding opportunities available through research announcements and education announcements and activities. NASA also will identify potential opportunities in small and disadvantaged business announcements and activities, and technology transfer and commercialization initiatives. Conference attendees will have the added bonus of viewing the launch of Space Shuttle Endeavour, currently targeted for Nov. 29. EDITORS NOTE: Media representatives wishing to attend the conference should contact Crystal Gathers in Kennedy's Equal Opportunity Office at 321/867-9169 or Juan McCraney at 321/861-8930. - end -