Dejia Brooks, a rising junior at Spelman College, one of UNCF’s member institutions, received the Slater-Millner Scholars Fund from UNCF. The scholarship reduced financial stressors and allowed her to focus on her education.

“Without the burden of worrying about tuition and expenses, I was able to fully dedicate myself to my academic and personal growth,” Brooks said. “As a result, I was able to excel during my sophomore year at Spelman College through rigorous course loads such as organic chemistry, molecular biology, Spanish and more.”

“This support not only lightened my financial load, but also affirmed that there are people and organizations who believe in my potential,” she shared. “I am incredibly grateful for this scholarship, as it empowered me to pursue my goals with confidence, resilience and a renewed sense of purpose.”

In partnership with UNCF, Dr. Nancy Slater and Dr. Alan Millner developed the scholarship to provide financial assistance to sophomores who are on a pre-med track with a demonstrated interest in serving underserved communities. The program, administered by UNCF, also offers mentorship and advising services through the Ascension Medical Educators – Aspiring Physicians Program. The Aspiring Physicians Program offers recipients monthly webinars focused on topics like professional identity, Medical College Admission Test prep and one-on-one academic advising.

“I would recommend this program to anyone who needs support, strong mentorship and a sense of community,” Brooks said. “The Slater-Millner Scholars Fund provided invaluable insight into the medical school application process, how to take effective patient notes as aspiring physicians and how to practice self-regulation and self-awareness within the field of medicine.”

“It is such a powerful and transformative program, and I’m so proud and honored to be part of the 2024-2027 cohort,” she continued. “I’m especially grateful to be under the guidance of Dr. Okon, Dr. Dickson and Dr. Taylor, whose leadership and mentorship have made a lasting impact on my journey.”

Brooks is the first in her family to pursue a pre-med track. She is majoring in health science, which involves a combination of public health courses, human anatomy requirements and specialized science classes such as advanced medical microbiology.

After graduation, Brooks aims to apply to medical school and become an obstetrician-gynecologist (OB-GYN). She is also considering taking a gap year to become a certified nursing assistant (CNA) so that she can gain hands-on experience with patient care and deepen her understanding of clinical practice.

She was drawn to Spelman thanks to its impressive statistics regarding the number of students who graduate and successfully matriculate into medical school. Spelman is often ranked among the top five or 10 for the number of graduates applying to medical school, according to an article in The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education.

“As someone aspiring to enter the medical field, I wanted to be in an environment that would challenge me academically and support my long-term goals,” Brooks shared. “It wasn’t until I toured Spelman that I truly felt it was the right fit. The sense of community, the wealth of resources and the undeniable beauty of the campus made me think ‘this is the one.’ Everyone I encountered was warm and welcoming, and because I chose Spelman, I’ve been blessed to form lasting friendships and sisterhoods that will stay with me for life.”

One of her most memorable experiences at Spelman was participating in a session on reproductive justice led by activist Dázon Dixon Diallo, the founder of SisterLove, the first women’s HIV, sexual and reproductive justice organization in the southeastern United States. “The conversation centered around the historical and ongoing attacks on Black women’s autonomy, and it ignited a deep passion in me to advocate for equitable healthcare, especially in reproductive and maternal health,” Brooks said. “Being in a space with like-minded peers and powerful leaders reaffirmed why I chose to attend an HBCU and pursue a career in medicine.”

“That moment helped me fully realize that I want to become an ob-gyn not only to provide care, but to fight for justice and change within our healthcare system,” she explained. “It was more than just an event—it was a turning point that helped shape my purpose.”

UNCF is proud of our students and alumni who have received scholarships that help them continue their education and graduate. These scholarships are invaluable to students, and UNCF is accepting donations to support students like Dejia Brooks in their academic endeavors.

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