Africana Studies Undergraduate Research Summit
The Africana Studies Undergraduate Research Summit is a day-long research summit focused on preparing students to become scholar activists engaged in hands-on, community oriented research.
The summit will feature student-led research projects, workshops and panel discussions on navigating higher education, and entertainment provided by DJ Lado and the Ramettes.
Registration is open!
The Summit features a specific emphasis on professional development, navigating higher education, and community oriented research methods; we encourage any students interested in those subjects to RSVP through this form.
What you'll experience
- Panel Discussion: Graduate student-lead discussion on navigating higher education and succeeding in the graduate school environment.
- Student Led-Poster Session: Presentations by student scholars on the results of year-long research projects informed by community centered methodological approaches.
- Expert-led Workshops & Addresses: VCU Professors and visiting scholars detail their experience in higher education & the importance of practical research, among other topics.
- Food & Entertainment: Entertainment provided DJ Lado and the Ramettes, catered by Kitchen Magician
At a Glance
April 3rd, 2026
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
STEM Building, Room 112 || University Student Commons, Richmond Salons & Commonwealth Ballroom
Why Attend?
- Engage with representatives of 11 graduate school programs.
- Learn about the graduate school application process from students who are currently enrolled.
- Enjoy food and live entertainment.
Sponsors
- Department of African American Studies
- Department of Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies
- VCU College of Humanities and Sciences
Questions? Please contact the department's administrative assistant, Christian Thompson, at thompsonc19@vcu.edu.
Our thanks to the Black Psychology Student Association for their collaboration on the Summit
Program Schedule
9:00 a.m. - 9:30 a.m.
Breakfast - STEM 112
Breakfast catered by Mama J's.
9:30 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.
Workshop: Writing a strong and effective personal statement w/ Prof. Adofo Ka-Re and Dr. Tiyacca Simms Jones - STEM 112
Professor Adofo Ka-Re and Associate Director of Psychology Advising and Graduate Academic Operations Dr. Tiyacca Simms Jones will deliver a workshop on writing effective personal statements; a key skill for those looking to pursue graduate school or careers in higher education.
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Poster Session - Richmond Salons I & II
Student-led research projects, completed over the course of the last year, will be featured in the Africana Studies Undergraduate Research Project Poster Session. Students engaged in this research projects employed skills cultivated through workshops and lectures delivered by scholars in the field of Africana Studies.
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Grad Fair - Commonwealth Ballroom A & B
The graduate fair will give student attendees an opportunity to network with representatives from 13 graduate programs.
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m.
Luncheon and Keynote Address with Dr. Jasmine Abrams - Commonwealth Ballroom A & B
Join us for a catered luncheon and keynote address by Dr. Jasmine Abrams, international behavioral research scientist and Presidential Research Fellow at the Yale School of Public Health.
2:15 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Panel Discussion: Navigating the grad school process with students - STEM 112
In this panel discussion, graduate students will share their experience in navigating higher education.
3:45 p.m.- 5:00 p.m.
DJ, Food, and Entertainment - Student Commons Theater
Music and entertainment will be provided by DJ Lado and VCU's first majorette dance team, the Ramettes!