In 1991, the USDA Forest Service (USFS) initiated a unique partnership with Alabama A&M University (AAMU), a historically black college/university (HBCU), to diversify the human resources in the agency and the forestry profession by training African-Americans in forestry and related sciences. It is widely recognized that this ethnic group is underrepresented in the forestry profession for a variety of reasons. The Society of American Foresters (SAF), among others, have recognized that a more multicultural profession will improve forestry and natural resource management because of the diverse perspectives and variety of knowledge available to resolve complex management issues.

The Center of Excellence in Forestry (COE) established at AAMU by the USFS in 1993 consists of five components: capacity enhancement, undergraduate and graduate training, cooperative research, a comprehensive student employment program, and establishment of a USFS research sub-unit on campus. Capacity enhancement has allowed development of the academic program in forestry and provided support for faculty, staff, equipment and supplies, and library materials acquisition. Undergraduate and graduate training provides funds for student recruitment and retention. This includes a summer research apprenticeship program for recent high school graduates. Cooperative research projects allow faculty to develop an active research program and offer part-time research opportunities to students. The student employment program attracts outstanding students to forestry with generous scholarships, summer internships, and permanent employment positions for graduates. The campus research sub-unit facilitates cooperative research projects between USFS scientists and AAMU faculty while establishing a USFS research station in the Cumberland Highlands region, an important area for upland hardwoods in the southern US.

To date, COE has graduated more than 100 professional black foresters who are employed by the timber industry, graduate schools, and a variety of state and federal land management or natural resources agencies. In 1998, AAMU graduated more black foresters than all other universities in the US combined. In the USFS today, 22 of the 38 black forestry professionals are AAMU graduates. Since its inception, other agencies and forest industry have joined the COE as partners. The predominant goal of COE has been the development of a professional forestry program which meets and exceeds SAF standards for accreditation. In 1998, AAMU became a candidate for professional accreditation from SAF. In 2001, AAMU successfully completed the self-evaluation process and hosted the SAF site-visit team in late November. The final vote for accreditation is expected at the 2002 SAF national convention.