OAAA main house
OAAA E-Weekly February 6, 2024
Mark Your Calendar
Spring 2024 Academic Calendar
Saturday, March 2 – Sunday, March 10
Spring Recess
Tuesday, April 30
Courses end
Student Spotlight: Khadija Kuyateh
Khadija Kuyateh is a Fourth-Year Psychology major and Statistics minor, from Upper Marlboro, MD. Khadija is very passionate about making a difference in the university community, and has achieved quite a lot in her four years at UVA. She is currently the Co-Chair of Sistahs Get Fit in the Black College of Women, an academic tutor for the Starr Hill Pathways program in The Equity Center at UVA, a volunteer at Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, and involved with two BSA committees. She was also the former 2020-2022 AfroHoos dance captain, and has served on two research projects at UVA. After graduating, Khadija is going to graduate school in the Fall to complete her Master of Public Health degree and become an epidemiologist. She wants to conduct research that helps shape health policy, and supplies scientific evidence that is more representative and more accessible for people of all backgrounds and ethnicities.
Schedule a Meeting with a Dean
In addition to the cultural programs we host, each Dean is available to meet with students to provide one-on-one support (i.e., academic, social, and emotional) to all our students.
Quote of the Week
“I have had worse things than that done to me when I was fighting for people's right to vote. I have been called rabble-rouser, agitator. But because of my fighting, I was able to hand to the entire country the right for people to vote.” -- Amelia Isadora Platts Boynton Robinson
OAAA Spotlight: Chimene Boone, Assistant Dean
Please join us in welcoming Chimene Boone to the Division of Student Affairs as our new Assistant Dean and Director of the GradSTAR program in the Office of African American Affairs (OAAA). Her focus will be on assessment, undergraduate research, and preparation for postgraduate transitions through experiential learning and advising strategies. She believes in meeting students where they are and utilizes coaching techniques to allow students to become active participants in their own paths to success.
Prior to joining OAAA, Chimene was the Executive Director of TRIO Programs at Virginia Commonwealth University. In her seven years, she secured (3) TRIO programs totaling $3.9M from the Department of Education. As a proud TRIO alum, this work was a full-circle moment for her. Her work with the TRIO Student Support Services, TRIO Student Support Services STEM, and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars programs speaks to her dedication to ensuring that first-generation and underrepresented students are their best selves to positively impact their community. She is a lifelong learner and hones her craft through participation in various NASPA national and regional conferences. Currently, she is a member of the NASPA First Generation Student Success Conference Planning Committee.
A native of Bronx, New York, Chimene holds a BA in Communications/Media from SUNY New Paltz, an MA in Women’s Studies from Stonybrook University and a PhD in higher education leadership from Capella University. She has worked in student affairs for over 25 years with various positions in residence life, academic advising, and counseling.
Chimene’s first day was February 5. Her office is at #4 Dawson’s Row in Room 204.
OAAA Alumni Engagement
Name: Rambert Tyree
Hometown: Newport News, VA
Year of Graduation: 2019 & 2022
Major: McIntire School of Commerce & University of Virginia Law School
Occupation: Corporate Lawyer in Richmond, VA
Wisdom / advice: In the blink of an eye you’ll be walking down the lawn and beginning the next chapter of your life, so be sure to cherish all of the time and opportunities you have at UVA and OAAA. You’ll complete hundreds of projects and assignments but, while it’s vital to complete your degree and set yourself up for success in your future career path, ultimately, the relationships you make with your peers will be what you leave the university cherishing most!
Favorite OAAA memory: As I reflect on my time in undergrad, all of my best memories stem from the time and relationships built through OAAA. In the moment, it is easy to overlook how special it is to live with and spend so much time surrounded by many of your closest friends.
Hometown: Newport News, VA
Year of Graduation: 2019 & 2022
Major: McIntire School of Commerce & University of Virginia Law School
Occupation: Corporate Lawyer in Richmond, VA
Wisdom / advice: In the blink of an eye you’ll be walking down the lawn and beginning the next chapter of your life, so be sure to cherish all of the time and opportunities you have at UVA and OAAA. You’ll complete hundreds of projects and assignments but, while it’s vital to complete your degree and set yourself up for success in your future career path, ultimately, the relationships you make with your peers will be what you leave the university cherishing most!
Favorite OAAA memory: As I reflect on my time in undergrad, all of my best memories stem from the time and relationships built through OAAA. In the moment, it is easy to overlook how special it is to live with and spend so much time surrounded by many of your closest friends.
Dear OAAA Family & Friends,
Congratulations to the Winners of the Black Friday Trivia Game! Come out this week for our Spades & Finish the Lyrics Competition.
Jeffery C. Smith, II
Assistant Dean
Congratulations to the Winners of the Black Friday Trivia Game! Come out this week for our Spades & Finish the Lyrics Competition.
Jeffery C. Smith, II
Assistant Dean
Studying 101: Black History Edition Vol. 16 2.6.24
Remember maintaining your BLACK EXECELLENCE is a constant process.
“Your progress is our success”
Dean Kelly Smith
Celebrate Black Excellence with us all month long as I highlight so of the achievements of men and women that have paved the way in academic settings as we celebrate your blackness all year long!
“Understanding the present cannot always be achieved by examining what lays in front of us. Often the answers lie as much in our past as they do in our present, requiring us to turn around and look back.”-Wesley Lowery
Opportunities with Deadlines
Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry Grants
Application Deadlines: January/Early February
The grants summer research and arts projects all have deadlines coming up in the next few weeks so don’t delay any further, especially with recommendations! To apply for grants click here
University Undergraduate Award for Arts Projects
Application Deadline: Wednesday, February 7
The University Undergraduate Award for Arts Projects expands opportunities for creative inquiry for first-, second-, and third-year undergraduates across all majors. Applicants can propose a substantial and significant project of creative work under the supervision of a UVA faculty mentor to be carried out the summer following the application of the award. Creative endeavors in any artistic medium are eligible, and awardees may be granted a summertime stipend of up to $5,000. For More Information. Contact: Office of Citizen Scholar Development Contact Email
The Oculus, U.Va.'s largest multidisciplinary research journal
Submissions Deadline: Sunday, February 11
The Oculus accepts DMP or major theses, Course Papers, Independent Research, and more. Research from any field, from Biology to Art History, is accepted. Fill out this form to submit your research! Our website is still currently under renovation, but please contact us by email or check out our library collections if you would like to see examples of past publications.
Wake Forest University’s School of Business Inclusion Weekend 2024
Application Deadline: Monday, February 12 by 11:59pm EST
Takes Place: Friday, February 23-Saturday, February 24
Wake Forest University’s School of Business is strongly committed to supporting the University’s mission of creating a learning environment that fosters equity and inclusion. This event is open to all college juniors and seniors from all undergraduate institutions to learn more about careers in business and specifically how the Wake Forest MS in Management, Accountancy, and Business Analytics programs can prepare you to succeed in a wide range of professions. Participants have the opportunity to meet faculty members, students, and alumni from the School of Business. The goal of the event is to introduce prospective students to the program’s curriculum and admissions processes while demonstrating the value of a business master’s degree. Participants’ expenses, travel costs, and accommodations are covered. Qualified Inclusion Weekend participants who apply and are admitted to one of our MS programs are eligible for a minimum $7,500 per year scholarship. Please be aware we can only admit a limited number of attendees. Applying early is highly recommended. Eligibility: Must be a college junior or senior currently enrolled at an accredited U.S. college or university, all majors welcome, subject to individual program requirements, and have not attended a prior Wake Forest Inclusion Weekend or AFTF event. Application Components upload resumes with the online application. Please reach out to Janasi Rawlings with questions.
UVA Student Highlights for Upcoming Diversity Office Events
Application Deadline: Friday, February 16, 2024
Doctoral Diversity Dinner (Monday, April 15, 2024)
Celebration of Excellence (Wednesday, May 1, 2024)
The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs-Diversity Programs is gearing up to the celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of our graduate and professional students during our signature events. We desire to highlight and share your accomplishments out to the UVA community via print, digital, and video formats for these events. Please complete a brief survey on the next screen that should take 3-5 minutes to complete. We look forward to celebrating with you! we encourage you to please visit https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3ITwfjBCW5thMCa .For more information email: [email protected] for more information ttps://graddiversity.virginia.edu/opportunities/postings Contact Name Denisha Megginson [email protected]
Virginia College Advising Corps
Priority Application Deadline: Friday, February 16
Looking for a fun, rewarding, and dynamic public service position after graduation? The Virginia College Advising Corps (VCAC) may be right for you! VCAC hires recent college graduates to serve as college advisers in high schools throughout the Commonwealth to increase the number of low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students who enter and complete higher education. Benefits of being a VCAC college adviser include a compensation package, including a living stipend, health insurance, and an Education Award; funding for campus tours, events, and college/career readiness projects; fully funded travel for national and statewide conferences; guidance and support with career and graduate school goals, a large network of College Advising Corps and AmeriCorps alumni; and being part of a mission-driven community of recent college graduates. Applications submitted past February 16 will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Apply Here!
UVA Alumni Association Scholarships
Applications Due by Friday, March 1
The spring scholarship cycle is now open, featuring a wide variety of scholarships ranging from small stipends to full scholarships covering tuition and fees. Decisions are made on a rolling basis, with most scholarships awarded by April 30. Winners will see scholarship amounts applied to their accounts for the academic year 2024-2025. To find and apply for scholarships, we invite you to sign up for AwardSpring, which will store your application materials and make applying for multiple scholarships easy. We encourage you to apply today Apply on AwardSpring!
The Ridley Scholarship Programs’ Gregory Ledford Scholarship
Application Deadline: Tuesday, March 5
This scholarship will be awarded to a raising 3rd year who has been admitted to the McIntire School of Commerce. Please feel free to share this link or the attached graphic with anyone that may be eligible and interested in applying. Scholarship finalist must be available to attend Scholar Selections Weekend on Thursday, March 21-Saturday, March 23, 2024. Apply Here!
Diversity Programs Office Professional Development Award
Application Deadline: Friday, March 8
The Professional Development Award supports graduate students and postdoctoral scholars at UVA by providing funds for activities related to their career development for which funds may not exist. For More Information.
Contact Name: Diversity Programs Office
Getting Word African American Oral History Project at Monticello
From Friday, March 15-Sunday, March17
Getting Word is hosting a Black Family History Lab in collaboration with The Jefferson School African American Heritage Center. You may recall “Memories Matter,” a community history day we’ve held in years past – this year, we’ve reimagined it as a three-day program. The Lab invites local residents to connect with family history experts on how to best save family treasures (i.e. photographs, letters, books, quilts, stories, and more), sit for professional family portraits, attend genealogy and oral history workshops, and find out what community groups are doing to tell local stories – all free of charge. As members of our community continue to preserve and research their family histories, our aim is to provide resources that assist that vital work.
Various Locations
This website lists opportunities from the larger Co-op/Internship and Summer Research Opportunities in the Life Sciences website that meet any of the following criteria - 1. biomedical research, 2. located in a medical or clinical setting, 3. located in a medical school or health science center, 4. has "biomedical" as a descriptor, 5. may be of particular interest to pre-med students.
From Fear to Action: Thriving in a Changing Climate Resources Fair
Hosted by UVA’s Environmental Institute and Contemplative Sciences Center, Britt Wray, an expert on the psychological impacts of the climate crisis especially among young people, shares research and experiences from her journey from fear to hope and finally to action. Wray will offer ways to thrive, feel less alone and restore ourselves for the long haul. A student resources fair and nature walk will follow the talk. For More Information Contact Name: Mai Hukuoka
UVA School of Medicine club GAS (Guides to Application Success)
Our goal is to provide individualized medical school application mentorship between UVA SOM students and UVA undergraduates throughout the medical school application process. The mentoring relationship will likely focus on application preparation, including extracurriculars, the primary application, school lists, secondaries, letters of recommendation, CASPer/SJT, and interview preparation/mock interviews. In March, we will match each applicant with a mentor. The process of selection of undergraduates will likely be on a first-come first-served basis for those who are applying in the upcoming 2024-2025 cycle. Please share this interest form with interested and eligible undergraduates to fill out. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you!
Upcoming UVA Events, Learning & Services
Fellowships & Undergraduate Research Series
Every Monday at 4:00 pm – Rotunda Multipurpose Room
The full schedule is attached and also available here. Getting Started in Undergraduate Research sessions and Exploring Opportunities at UVA & Beyond workshops occur about once a month. Many sessions this spring are dedicated to those fellowships that have a deadline in the fall. It is important that students start considering those opportunities early so that they can take advantage of our spring and summer advising to be well prepared.
Black Graduate Students Support Group
Every Friday – 3:00 pm-4:30 pm – Student Health & Wellness
This is a weekly support space centered on the Black, African American, and African graduate and professional student experience. This support space provides a safe and affirming opportunity to make connections, give and receive support, and engage in open dialogue about lived experiences as a graduate or professional student at a PWI. To join email Group leader: Lavender Williams, LPC
Fulbright Forum
Wednesday, February 21 - 4:30 pm – Special Collections Library Auditorium
This is our kick-off event for the application cycle for the Fulbright U.S. Student Award, a great opportunity for students interested in further study, research, teaching, or creative opportunities after graduation. Join us for a panel discussion and reception with past UVA Fulbright recipients at. Register here
2024 Undergraduate Research Symposium
Thursday, April 18 – 9:00 am-5:00 pm – Newcomb Hall
(Deadline to sign up: March 12th) Undergraduate students from all disciplines at UVA are invited to present their research and creative inquiry at this annual event. There is also a flyer you can print and post on your door to get your friends involved. https://undergraduateresearch.virginia.edu/undergraduate-research-symposium
National African American Historic Landmarks
The U.S. Civil Rights Trail is a collection of churches, courthouses, schools, museums and other landmarks across 15 states that played a pivotal role in advancing social justice in the 1950s and 1960s, shifting the course of history.