The Honoré Center for Undergraduate Student Achievement (CUSA) was established at the Southern University and A&M College System with funding from the State of Louisiana and other sources to undertake an important challenge: namely, to reverse the trend of fewer African American males graduating from college, while also increasing the number of male certified classroom teachers in urban settings. The project was named in honor of a genuine Louisiana hero and Southern University alumnus, Lt. General Russel Honoré (US Army, Retired) who commanded Task Force Katrina to help clean up the Gulf Coast after the devastating hurricane in 2005.

Launched in 2012, the program recruits seniors from New Orleans area high schools to receive support and resources to complete their college education at the Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO). Each candidate agrees that, in return for the support and resources invested in him, he will serve at least two years as a local classroom teacher. Detailed information about the program is available on the SUNO website.