OAAA E-Weekly Newsletter
The Office of African-American Affairs Newsletter Highlighting Events and Opportunities for OAAA Students
"Young, Gifted & Black:
40 Years of Preparing Students for the Quest"
Special Announcement
OAAA/GradSTAR Project Management for Aspiring Leaders
Workshop: Saturday, April 7 - 10:00 am–3:00 pm - Ruffner 302 (Media / Library Commons area)
On-line Application Deadline: Monday, April 2 @ 5:00 pm
Final 2018 BPC Survey Winners!
The sixth winner of the BPC Survey Lottery is Nmadinobi Okafor, First-year student in the College and Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She has won the sixth prize, a $25-dollar gift VISA Gift Card.
The seventh winner of the BPC Survey Lottery is Cameron Davis, Second-year student in the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. He has won the seventh prize, a $25-dollar gift VISA Gift Card.
SOCA was the organization with the most referrals!
SOCA members: Please reach out to Revay Corbett, roc2ab@virginia.edu, to discuss the planning for your BPC Sponsored Event. Max value: $350.
Thanks to all who participated. Though we have given our final prize, please consider taking the survey. It will help BPC and the University better provide programming for Black students in the upcoming year(s).
Mark Your Calendar
Friday, March 23 – Fall 2018 Course Shopping Cart Opens to Students
Monday, March 26 through Friday, April 6 - Advising for Fall Semester Course Selection
Tuesday, April 17 - Last Day to Withdraw from the University & Return for Fall 2018 Semester; Last Day to Apply for Readmission for the Summer 2018 Term
Wednesday, April 25 - Last Day to Request Change in Examination Schedule
Tuesday, May 1 - Classes End
Wednesday, May 2 - Reading Day
Thursday, May 3 through Friday, May 11 - Course Examinations
Sunday, May 6 and Wednesday, May 9 - Reading Days
Friday, May 18 – Donning of the Kente Ceremony - 6:00 pm – Old Cabell Auditorium
Saturday, May 19 & Sunday, May 20 - Final Exercises Weekend
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The Office of African-American Affairs is on FACEBOOK! LIKE US to keep up-to-date with events and more info about OAAA!
Quote of the Week
Spotlight on Student Achievements
This week, we highlight another OAAA / Project Rise (PRISE) Peer Counselor: Jasmine Edmond, a Fourth-year student from Fairfax Station, VA. She is majoring in Cognitive Science, and has participated in the French Language Immersion Program in Lyon, France. As a PRISE counselor, Jasmine provides free, one-on-one, and confidential services to students dealing with a range of academic, personal, and social issues. In this University-sponsored program, created by Black students for Black students, Jasmine wants students to know that “they [students] can talk to us about anything, and we are here [at UVA] as another support system.” Upon graduation, Jasmine will continue her work in the human resources field in the Washington, D.C. area.
Quote's Corner
Harriet Tubman (born Araminta Ross, c. 1822 – March 10, 1913) was an American abolitionist. Born into slavery, Tubman escaped to Philadelphia, then immediately returned to Maryland to rescue her family. Slowly, one group at a time, she brought relatives with her out of the state, and eventually guided dozens of other slaves to freedom. Traveling by night and in extreme secrecy, Tubman (or "Moses", as she was called) "never lost a passenger." After the passage of the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, she helped guide fugitives farther north into British North America, and helped newly freed slaves find work. She later helped abolitionist John Brown recruit men for his raid on Harpers Ferry. During the Civil War, she served as an armed scout and spy for the United States Army. In her later years, she retired to the family home on property she had purchased in 1859 in Auburn, New York, where she cared for her aging parents. She was active in the women's suffrage movement, until she fell ill and had to be admitted to a home for elderly African Americans. After her death in 1913, she became an icon of American courage and freedom.
Opportunites with Deadlines
Executive Leadership Council (ELC) 2018 ELC Undergraduate Scholarship Programs.
Application Deadline: Monday, March 19, 2018 at 12 midnight EST.
The mission of The ELC’s Scholarship Programs is to build a pipeline of black corporate talent by supporting the academic achievement and development of black undergraduate and graduate students. The ELC offers five undergraduate scholarship programs – three for students pursuing degrees in business, one for students currently enrolled in an engineering program, and one for students pursuing degrees in business, insurance and risk management, or a related field. Successful applicants will be notified by Monday, May 7, 2018 .For additional information regarding eligibility criteria and submission requirements, visit: www.elcinfo.com/scholarships. For questions regarding The ELC Scholarship Programs, please email your inquiries to scholarships@elcinfo.com.
The UVA Parents Fund Scholarships
Application Deadline: Early March - Recipients announced at Parents Fund Committee 2018 Spring Meeting
The Gilbert J. Sullivan Scholarship and the Gordon C. Burris Scholarships are awarded to rising Third year students who have a demonstrated record of citizenship, leadership, academic achievement, and financial need. These two $7,500 annual scholarships cover a portion of tuition and fees for the recipients’ third and fourth years. Students should submit an application, resume and a letter of recommendation to uvaparentsfund@virginia.edu. Letters of recommendation may come from anyone, however, we recommend asking a UVA professor or dean to write about your citizenship, leadership, and/or academic achievement. If selected, applicants should attend a reception. Email Jennifer Huebner, UVA Parents Fund Specialist, with questions.
The Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) Summer Workshop Program
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 1
The IRT Summer Workshop selects 35-40 interns for an intense four-week summer workshop at Phillips Academy in Andover, Massachusetts. Interns will attend discussions, lectures, conferences, and debates in the disciplines of education, the humanities, and social sciences that one may encounter throughout graduate study. The Summer Workshop Program is for college juniors and seniors who intend to pursue graduate study upon completion of their undergraduate degree. Summer workshop participants will receive a stipend, travel expenses, and room and board. Application is open! To apply, click here for more information.
Deans’ Scholarships
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 15
Deans’ Scholarships are completed through AcademicWorks (an online scholarships management system). If you have any questions, please contact Sean Reed via email at rsr4c@virginia.edu. Students with a 3.4 GPA or higher can apply. Since students now complete a generic application, if they are interested in a particular scholarship that has specific criteria (record of service to others, career in public service, etc.), include details about qualifications in their statement.
The Young Innovative Investigator Program (YIIP)
Application Deadline: Wednesday, April 25
The Connecticut Institute for Clinical and Translational Science (CICATS) at the University of Connecticut (UConn), has an exciting research opportunity, led by Dr. Cato Laurencin. YIIP provides academic training to underrepresented minority students dedicated to pursuing careers as scientists and scholars in biological and biomedical science, to develop the next generation of innovative biomedical scientists and increase diversity among academic scientists. Scholarships are available! Check here for more information and eligibility qualifications, as well as the application.
UVA Summer Medical Leadership Program (UVA-SMLP)
Application Deadline: Sunday, April 15 for the summer of 2018
Program dates: Saturday, June 2 – Thursday, July 14
UVA-SMLP builds on the success of the previous summer medical academic enrichment programs [Medical Academic Advancement Program (MAAP) and Summer Medical and Dental Education Program (SMDEP)]. The goal: to expose the participants to the “real world of medicine” to prepare them for medical school admission & future leadership positions in medicine/biomedical field. For more information, visit the homepage https://med.virginia.edu/diversity/programs/smlp
Jopwell is the leading career advancement platform providing Black, Latinx, and Native American students and professionals with support for jobs and internships at 80+ partner companies including Facebook, Goldman Sachs, the NBA, and Pfizer. In addition, there is a digital magazine, The Well, with career advice from people of color for people of color. Two UVa alumni have been featured in the digital magazine.
Apply for a Serpentine Society Internship
The Serpentine Society is pleased to announce the creation of an internship for a person who will work closely with the board to connect the Society with UVA students and administrators in Alumni Hall. Subsequent intern appointments will run for the entire academic year, beginning in the fall of 2018 (see job description). Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for one professional (or academic) reference. Applicants should incorporate answers to the following questions in their cover letter: What do you hope to gain personally from this experience? How would you like to use this opportunity engage the UVA LGBTQ student population?
AT&T Summer Internship Program
Start Date: Late May through early June for the next 3 summers (12 weeks per summer)
Join ATT after graduation and be a part of a team known for shaping the next generation of leaders. Click here for 2018 hiring information. You must be pursuing an undergraduate degree -- business, technology & finance majors preferred. Relocation is possible to start the internship, but not required during summer assignments.
Cville Bio-Trek: Connect with BioTech Companies in your Backyard
Spend quality time at local Charlottesville organizations that are revolutionizing biotechnology in your own backyard! Learn how your lab and bench science skills can work, and connect with potential local employers interested in connecting with UVA students. Get insider tips on how to market your experience, and where to apply your life science skills. Learn from professionals who are on the cutting edge of BioTech and expand your network. For more information or contact Christie Julien
Learning In Action Public Service at UVA
Learning in Action is the front door to public service at the University of Virginia! It connects students, faculty, and community partners to social entrepreneurship, community engagement, and co–curricular service opportunities. There are also resources that direct users to specific programs and offices based on individual interest. Currently, the Community Service Committee of Student Council and Student Affairs Community Engagement group are responsible for all content. http://publicservice.virginia.edu/
Diversity in Museums & the Arts Grant for Underrepresented Students
To support students pursuing internships at museums, historic sites, or archives, a $3500 grant is awarded to applicants from backgrounds traditionally underrepresented in museum careers. This includes students who identify as African American, Hispanic American, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islanders, and/or individuals with disabilities. Programs also highlight museum careers and provide instruction to help students apply for internships. Students in ALL majors are eligible, not just those in Art/Art History. Visit Diversity in Museums and the Arts (panel and reception), Museum Career Panel, and Museum Interview and Application Prep for more information.
Shadow a Professional this Summer!
The Career IDEAs Externship Program aims to connect students with meaningful Externship opportunities during the summer months. Students apply to the program via Handshake and are selected for an externship site that will help them explore the industry of their choice. The program is open to all students, but the priority is for those who have not had an externship or internship experience. Second and Third years who are first-generation college students and part of under-represented populations are encouraged to apply. Contact: Christie Julien
STEM Summer Research Opportunities
Now is the time that 2018 summer research programs are posting applications. There are 699 summer research programs posted on this website, with new program dates and programs posted every day! Right now, students can find 57 summer science exposure programs for high school students, 607 PAID summer research programs for undergraduates, 30 PAID summer programs for post-baccalaureate students (including graduating seniors), and 56 PAID summer programs for graduate students. For even more search options and filters, try our advanced search.
This Week in Black History
Did you know? March 24, 1944, in Alcolu, Clarendon County, South Carolina, two little white girls, sisters Betty June Binnicker, age 11, and Mary Emma Thames, age 8, disappeared while out riding their bicycle looking for flowers. George Junius Stinney Jr. (1929 – 1944), a 14 year old African-American youth, was arrested the next day and charged with first-degree murder. Stinney was said to have confessed to the crime although there was no written record of his confession apart from notes provided by an investigating deputy. Stinney was convicted in less than 10 minutes, during a one-day trial, by an all-white jury of the first-degree murder. He is one of the youngest persons in the United States in the 20th-century to be sentenced to death and to be executed. He was denied appeal and executed by electric chair on June 16, 1944. Since Stinney's conviction and execution the question of his guilt, the validity of his reported confession, and the judicial process leading to his execution have been extensively criticized. A group of lawyers and activists investigated the Stinney case on behalf of his family. In 2013 the family petitioned for a new trial. On December 17, 2014, his conviction was posthumously vacated 70 years after his execution, because the circuit court judge ruled that he had not been given a fair trial; he had no effective defense and his Sixth Amendment rights had been violated. The judgment noted that while Stinney may in fact have committed the crime, the prosecution and trial were fundamentally flawed. Judge Mullen ruled that his confession was likely coerced and thus inadmissible. She also found that the execution of a 14-year-old constituted "cruel and unusual punishment.
Did you know? Ella Josephine Baker (1903 –1986) was an African-American civil rights and human rights activist born in Virginia, who grew up in North Carolina and graduated from college there, and worked for most of her life based in New York City. She was a largely behind-the-scenes organizer whose career spanned more than five decades. She worked alongside some of the most famous civil rights leaders of the 20th century, including W. E. B. Du Bois, Thurgood Marshall, A. Philip Randolph, and Martin Luther King Jr. She also mentored many emerging activists, such as Diane Nash, Stokely Carmichael, Rosa Parks, and Bob Moses. Baker criticized professionalized, charismatic leadership; she promoted grassroots organizing, radical democracy, and the ability of the oppressed to understand their worlds and advocate for themselves. She has been ranked as "One of the most important African American leaders of the twentieth century and perhaps the most influential woman in the Civil Rights Movement," known for her critiques not only of racism within American culture, but also the sexism and classism within the Civil Rights Movement.
Did you know? On March 25, 1965, Martin Luther King, Jr. led thousands of nonviolent demonstrators to the steps of the capitol in Montgomery, Alabama. After a 5-day, 54-mile march from Selma to Montgomery, King joined local citizens, members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), who had also been campaigning for voting rights.
OAAA Announcements & Services
Upcoming Events
Fostering Resilience Series with Tim Davis
Join us for this four-part series on scientifically-supported approaches to managing stress and prospering during times of adversity. Hosted by Tim Davis, Ph.D, topics to be explored will introduce participants to the concept of growth mindset and its impact on well-being and performance. This includes learning about practices that cultivate awareness and appreciation, and the beneficial effects of mindfulness, such as mental clarity, composure, well-being, and more. Attendees will also participate in mindfulness exercises as a group.
- Gratitude and Other Foundations of Positive Psychology
Wednesday, March 21 – 4:00 pm – Clemons Rm 220
Learn compelling support for practices that cultivate awareness and appreciation.
- Diffusing Mind Traps
Wednesday, March 28 – 4:00 pm – Clemons Rm 220
Examine common cognitive patterns that inhibit resilience and will learn helpful strategies for overcoming those patterns.
- Mindfulness 101
Wednesday, April 4 – 4:00 pm – Clemons Rm 220
Discover some of the beneficial effects of mindfulness such as mental clarity, composure, well-being, and more.
UVA Ruffin Distinguished Artist in Residence: Marisa Williamson
Featured now through Sunday, April 15 – Ruffin Hall Studio 323
Marisa Williamson is a New York metro area-based multimedia artist and teacher who will work with students in a variety of courses is in residence this semester. Her visit is generously supported by The Peter B. and Adeline W. Ruffin Foundation and the McIntire Department of Art. The Ruffin Distinguished Artist in Residence is an annual position designed to bring artists of international stature to the University’s studio art program within Ruffin Hall.
The Human Library
Friday, April 6
The Human Library is a space for expression where people can come together and share life experiences with the UVA and the greater Charlottesville communities. We all have a story! The Human Library is looking for people to share theirs and challenge the stereotypes and prejudices we face. If you would like to participate, please refer to https://goo.gl/forms/2rEwKOsyjbktjggm1