For the past four summers, the Open Doors Program has showcased the University of Virginia’s dedication to cross-school collaboration by supporting undergraduate students from Virginia State University (VSU) and Norfolk State University (NSU) in exploring graduate school and research opportunities. It brought together faculty and departments from across UVA, including the School of Education and Human Development, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the Carter G. Woodson Institute, all in partnership with VSU and NSU.  

This year, the Open Doors Program brought 12 undergraduates — 10 from VSU and two from NSU — along with VSU faculty member and coordinators Ayana Conway and Meya Mongkuo to UVA for a month-long immersive research experience. It marked a significant milestone as it was conducted entirely in-person for the first time since its inception by professors Jim Wyckoff and Sara Rimm-Kaufman as a virtual program in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The students’ final projects have also evolved over the years, transitioning from literature reviews to comprehensive research proposals.  

During their time here, the students developed research proposals guided by their graduate student mentors from the education school’s Virginia Education Science Training (VEST) doctoral training program. The mentorship, coordinated by VEST graduate student Allison Ward-Seidel, provided valuable training for the graduate students, offered the undergraduates critical feedback on their writing, and fostered collaboration between the three schools. The overall curriculum featured seminars on qualitative and quantitative research, applying to graduate school, cultural and racial identity, and artificial intelligence. Students were compensated for their involvement, making the program competitive with other summer jobs and internships. 

In addition to their academic endeavors, students enjoyed various outings, including visits to the Fralin Museum of Art, a Black history tour of the UVA Grounds, the Monacan summer Pow Wow and Carter Mountain Orchard. They also hosted North Carolina Central University’s RISE students, facilitating a rich exchange of ideas and experiences. 

“I've grown a lot in this program,” said one Open Doors student. “I developed a research proposal, learned how to edit it, and connected with people who will help bring my program to life at Virginia State University.” 

Ayana Conway, associate professor at VSU and a coordinator of the program for four years, noted that one of the most impressive aspects of the program has been the support from faculty, schools and departments across Grounds.  

The Open Doors students met with university leadership, including Dean Ian Solomon of the Batten School, Dean Stephanie Rowley of the Education School, Jasmine Crenshaw, director of diversity programs in the UVA Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs, and Michelle Bair, Director of Hoos First in the Office of Student Affairs, and several UVA faculty members. Faculty and graduate students from the Education School, the Batten School, the Woodson Institute, Global Studies and the Astronomy Department volunteered to teach the student seminars. While primary funding and administrative support by Kelly Garrett were supported by the VEST program, the Batten School and the Woodson Institute offered additional support, and five departments sponsored lunches for the students.  

The show of support across Grounds is compelling and hopeful, particularly since the coordinators are identifying ways to expand the program and its impact on minority students’ matriculation to graduate school. This year alone, seven of the 12 participating students noted that they plan to apply to UVA for graduate school. Coordinators Meya Mongkuo, Ayana Conway and Naseemah Mohamed have been tracking student and mentor outcomes over the past four years and are looking forward to demonstrating the efficacy of pipeline programs such as this one.  

Ultimately, the students are at the heart of the program, and the organizers hope that Open Doors continues to offer students an enriching opportunity to carve their own future paths. Congratulations again to the 2024 cohort of Open Doors Scholars: Isiah Spratling, Taylor Francis, Iyanna Thweatt, Robell Altseb, Allison Harris, Brittany Perkins, Josh Ethier, Anaya McKnight, Imani Frederick, Ameenat Taofeek-Bello, Alexis Moore and Kinteah Faulk. 

For more background on Open Doors 

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