UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship: Student Profiles
Alexis Carey will be enrolled as third-year Ph.D. candidate in the cellular and molecular medicine program at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD, in the Fall of 2021. Carey is interested in the interface between aging, chronic inflammation and overall immune function. Her current research allowed her to receive several prestigious awards such as the Ford Predoctoral Fellowship Alternate/Honorable Mention (2021) and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships Program Honorable Mention (2020). In addition, she plans on investigating what role age-related changes to the bone marrow play in progression of melanoma. Lastly, Carey is actively encouraging young students through her participation as a peer mentor to basic science institute and summer internship program students.
Carey stated that “The UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship showed other grant organizations that I was capable of writing persuasive material and that I was a leader in my community.”
Carey graduated from Clark Atlanta University with a bachelor of science in biology. She was also honored as the valedictorian and was a UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholar in 2018.
Nathan Harris will be enrolled as a fourth-year Ph.D. candidate in engineering education at The Ohio State University in Columbus, OH, during Fall 2021. He is recognized as a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellow. Harris is currently a site director for the Urban Resurrection Community Development Corporation, where he manages the Learning Extension Center. In addition, Harris had an opportunity to lead as the co-principal investigator for the university-community partnership, which was referred as STEM-TO-STEAM: It’s All In The Garden. The primary focus was to incorporate STEM Curriculum and sustainable gardening. Upon graduation, Harris wants to impact the design implementation of STEM curriculum within the African American community.
Harris stated that “The UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship enabled me to have some financial stability my first semester in graduate school to purchase school-based supplies. The UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship catapulted me into the opportunities with the National Science Foundation.”
Harris graduated from Morehouse College with a bachelor of science in computer science and was a UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholar in 2018.
Tiqeece Brown will be a second-year law student in the fall 2021 at Campbell University’s Norman A. Wiggins School of Law in Raleigh, NC. He provided leadership as the chief promotional officer for Campbell Law Reporter and as the law student representative for North Carolina Bar Association. He is an active member of the university’s Diversity and Student Life Committee and Student Bar Association. Prior to law school, he worked in the capacity of administrative support with NVR, Inc., which is a homebuilder. In addition, Brown served as a teacher and football coach within Catawba County Schools in North Carolina. Upon graduation, he has a strong desire to pursue a career in education law or public interest law.
Brown stated that “The UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship gave me the momentum to help achieve my dream of becoming an attorney and inspired me to give back to my community.”
Brown graduated from Winston-Salem State University with a bachelor of arts in political science and was a UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholar in 2017.
In 2016, LaMaria Gill commenced her accounting career as an auditor for PriceWaterhouseCoopers, where she received the highest client satisfaction rating. With this tremendous training and experience, Gill transitioned into the position of senior accountant at Headington Companies, LLC, which focuses on real estate. She is currently a client accountant at Streetlane Homes, where she supervises several staff accountants and payable clerks. Gill utilized her Achievement Capstone award to receive high-level preparation for the Certified Public Accountant Exam.
Gill stated that “The UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholarship has helped me grow into the career businesswoman that I am today. I used the funds to further educate myself in accounting to be able to excel in my purpose!”
Gill graduated from Wiley University with a bachelor of business administration in accounting and was a UNCF Achievement Capstone Scholar in 2016.