Two A&T Students Among First in Du Bois Scholars Program at Harvard

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (July 22, 2024) – Two North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University undergraduate students have been selected for the inaugural cohort of the Du Bois Scholars program at Harvard University.

Jacquelle Joseph-Lainez, of Freeport, New York, is a rising third-year Honors College student studying biology and Jayden Seay, of Woodbridge, Virginia, is a rising fourth-year Honors College student and February One Scholar studying secondary education with a focus on history. They were chosen for this distinction after a competitive application and interview process this spring, during which they selected their desired project and faculty mentor.

The Du Bois Scholars program is a prestigious initiative aimed at recognizing and supporting exceptional students from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), offering a fully funded, nine-week summer research internship at Harvard College. The internship includes an on-site residential Summer School Proctor, an on-campus housing assignment with fellow researchers, reimbursement of their travel costs, three meals a day including weekends and a $5,000 stipend for additional expenses.

“I am immensely proud of Jacquelle and Jayden for their selection into the prestigious Du Bois Scholars Program at Harvard University,” said Tonya Smith-Jackson, provost and executive vice chancellor of Academic Affairs. “Their achievement not only reflects their exceptional academic abilities but also underscores the strength of N.C. A&T’s commitment to fostering opportunities for our students to excel on a national stage.”

The Du Bois Scholars program – the first of its kind – features 20 scholars representing 13 partner institutions, including Howard University, Spelman College, Morehouse College and Xavier University of Louisiana. It provides participants with dedicated hands-on mentorship and access to rigorous research and learning environment, fostering both intellectual growth and personal development. The program will culminate with a final presentation of their research to fellow scholars, faculty mentors and teams.

“Jacquelle and Jayden’s acceptance into the prestigious Du Bois Scholars program is a testament to their hard work and dedication,” said Margaret I. Kanipes, Ph.D., Honors College dean. “This achievement not only opens new doors for their future but also inspires our entire student body to strive for excellence and seize opportunities beyond our campus.”

Joseph-Lainez, daughter of Shayleen Joseph-Lainez and Hugo Lainez, is working with Darren E. Higgins, Ph.D., a professor of microbiology in the Harvard Division of Medical Sciences, researching Listeria and its presence in blood, serum, and serum protein(s) from different species.

“I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of the inaugural cohort of a groundbreaking program that paves the way for more HBCU students to reach new levels in research,” she said. “As a Black woman in pursuit of equality in the medical field, I strive to engage in opportunities that empower students and combat the inequity of Black representation in research by allowing us to showcase our talents and passion, to later use as contributors in the STEM field.”

Joseph-Lainez has been a laboratory research assistant and volunteer for The Thomas Lab, where she has conducted comprehensive experiments investigating bacterial resistance to silver, contributing research to the at-large pandemic of antibiotic resistance, executed competitive assays and conducted Minimum Inhibitory Concentration testing, and developed and presented research findings since 2023. She also has participated in the North Carolina A&T Summer Research Preparatory Program, using advanced qualitative research methodologies, employing coding techniques to investigate maternal health and conducted in-depth quantitative research on antibiotic resistance, culminating in an award-winning oral and poster presentation. She is a National Alumni Scholar, Big Brother Big Sister mentor, Beta Beta Beta Biological Honor Society intern, and member of both the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students and A World of STEM. Additionally, she has worked with Youth Community Bridging the Gap since 2021 and served as community service chair for Best Buddies in Greensboro.

Seay, son of Stacey Duvall Seay and John Seay, has been endorsed for the White House Initiative’s HBCU Scholar Recognition Program and the 2024 Truman Scholarship. At Harvard, he is working with Hannah Marcus, Ph.D., John and Ruth Hazel Associate Professor of the Social Sciences and interim faculty director of the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments at Harvard College – Faculty of Arts and Sciences, on an upcoming race and science exhibit and learning how to handle historical scientific instruments, among other priorities.

“As an Inaugural February One Scholar, North Carolina A&T and the Honors College have encouraged me to become a groundbreaking leader in my field,” he said. “When I heard of this internship program, I knew it was an opportunity to do just that. It is an honor to be among the first students to obtain this opportunity, and I am excited to contribute to groundbreaking research and show Harvard what Aggies Do!”

Seay is incoming president of the Honors Student Advisory Board at A&T and has served as community service co-lead for the Honors College Ambassador Program and vice president of campus outreach for the University of North Carolina Association of Student Governments, both since 2023. This spring, he was of 31 students inducted into Chapter 291 of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society at A&T. He served as a historian intern for the U.S. Senate Historical Office and undergraduate research assistant for A&T’s College of Education, in addition to being a Social Justice Fellow with The Memorial Foundation, educational outreach intern for Partnerships for Global Education Ltd., and food distribution intern and media intern for First Baptist Church of Vienna. In addition to serving as an ambassador for both the Honors College and College of Education since 2022, he was Mr. Kappa Delta Pi for the Theta Tau Chapter of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society in Education, College of Education senator for A&T’s Student Government Association (SGA), academic affairs chair for the SGA Senate and co-chair of the Lended Library Literacy Project. He also is an inaugural member of A&T’s Center of Excellence for Social Justice Student Advisory Board, member of the Office of Leadership and Civic Engagement Civic Engagement Coalition, Student North Carolina Association of Educators and NAACP chapter at A&T.

Joseph-Lainez and Seay were among seven A&T students invited to interview after the first-round review of their national applications. The Du Bois Scholars Program is open to rising junior and senior scholars from select R2 and research-focused institutions who meet the selection criteria. Students, faculty and staff interested in the next application and cycle may email Alsace-Lorraine Gallop, A&T’s national scholarships and fellowships coordinator with NCAT Extraordinary Opportunities, at acgallop@ncat.edu for details.