Mellon Research Fellows projects
In August 2023, a group of Mellon Pathways Program students from Brightpoint and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community Colleges began year-long research projects in the humanities and arts under the mentorship of a community college faculty member and a VCU faculty connection as part of the Mellon Research Fellows program.
Through weekly meetings with their mentors and peers, attendance at monthly symposia, and many hours of reading, interviewing, reflection, writing and learning, our Mellon Research Fellows have produced 12 thoughtful, unique and creative final projects, which can be explored below. Most of these Mellon Research Fellows will be transferring to VCU in the upcoming academic year.
2023-24 Research Fellows
Tracie Artis
Project: An Analysis on the Distinct Effects of the Patriarchy on Different Demographics
Bea Castro
Project: The Vibrant Rhythms and Cultural Fusion of Bomba: A Celebration of Afro-Puerto Rican Heritage
Starr Goodridge
Project: I Came, I Stayed, I Conquered
Princess Johnson
Project: It’s Giving Hellraiser: What is the “Ideal Face” and how has it Influenced the Way Gen Z Women Wear and Consume Makeup?
Arsen Khachatryan
Project: Recipe: A Documentary on Language and Identity
Adonis Mullins
Project: Why? Nothing is wrong?
John-Lewis Opher
Project: Litterboxes, Therians, Cringe Culture Oh My: Pulling Back the Curtain on the Furry Community
Courtney Sawyer
Project: “Welcome to your first day of your new life.” A Journey of Self-Publishing my Webcomic
Ryan Scott
Project: The Ethical Implications of AI in Healthcare
Monique Thompson
Project: The Legacy Trauma Creates
Eva Wiznerowicz
Project: Compositional Voices: Remembering the Women of Classical Music
Faculty connections
Each Mellon Research Fellow worked with both a faculty mentor at the community college and a faculty connection at VCU. The VCU faculty connections not only provided feedback on students’ projects in the spring, but also discussed students’ goals, academic and professional aspirations, and VCU opportunities.
The VCU faculty connections are:
- Caddie Alford
- Christopher Brooks
- Chris Burdett
- Liz Canfield
- Chris Cynn
- Catherine Ingrassia
- Shermaine Jones
- Mary Caton Lingold
- Alicia Borre Montealgre
- Michael Paarlberg
- Emilie Raymond
- Donald Smith
- Shawn Utsey