Research. Engagement. Action. Community. Humanities.
An opportunity for qualified students who have a sincere interest in pursuing graduate work for the express purpose of pursuing a career in academia.

In December 2019, UNC Pembroke received a three-year $950,000 grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation to establish R.E.A.C.H—a program designed to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in faculty positions in institutions of higher education across the United States. R.E.A.C.H. aims to create a groundswell of future scholars among American Indian, African-American, Hispanic-American and other underrepresented minorities interested in advanced study in the humanities--although any qualified student is eligible.
Each Mellon Fellow will be paired with an individual faculty mentor to develop a research project. Mentors will also help Mellon Fellows target research repositories and appropriate conferences within their respective disciplines. Funds will be provided for research, travel, graduate school entrance exams, and an application to a graduate degree program in the humanities. Room and board will also be provided for the Summer Research Exploration Program that will be held on campus.
2022-2023 R.E.A.C.H. Fellows

Brennan Jenkins
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Honestly, I could not choose just one I'd love to go all over the world. But if I had to narrow it down, I would love to go to Ireland or Nigeria.
What do you want people to remember about you?
I would hope they would remember me for my passion in history or in anything that I end up doing. I want to be remembered as a hard worker and as someone who loves what they do.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Definitely Winter.
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
The Winds of Winter by Ramin Djawadi in the Game of Thrones season 6 soundtrack.
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Definitely Lady Gaga, she's an intriguing and kind person. Her work really inspires me. She is the epitome of a performance artist and has an extensive knowledge in art history.

Chandler Allred
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Ireland
What do you want people to remember about you?
I want to be remembered as a human being. Not a perfect human or an imperfect human, just a human.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Summer
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Stone Cold Steve Austin’s WWE Entrance Anthem
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
5If they had to be alive, it would be Professional Lacrosse player Miles Thompson (Onondaga), or if they can be famous from the past, it would be Chief Tom Blount (Tuscarora).

Aria Huntley
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
The Maldives
What do you want people to remember about you?
My willingness to always listen and lend a helping hand
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Winter
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
"Pretty Girl Rock" by Keri Hilson
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Michelle Obama

Madison Bathke
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
The highlands of Ireland
What do you want people to remember about you?
I want people to remember me as an individual that was kind and respectful but also can help them find the best within themselves.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Spring and Summer!
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Original by Sia
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Avi Kaplan or Eric Whitacre

Hunter Levy
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Germany
What do you want people to remember about you?
My life story
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Winter
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
More than a feeling by Boston
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Owen Wilson

Tiffany Smaw
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Madrid, Spain
What do you want people to remember about you?
That I'm a rockstar!
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Fall
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Whirr - Ease
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Blood Orange

Julia Colborn
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Back to Italy, in my own rundown castle on a large and dying vineyard
What do you want people to remember about you?
The things I inspired them to think about
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Autumn
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Classical Gas composed by Mason Williams
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
There are just too many to choose from, I could not pick just one.

DeMaurion Shelley
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would have to say anywhere in Italy
What do you want people to remember about you?
My love for history and education.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Fall
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
If things go the way I want them to go, one day it'll be "Hail to the Chief"
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Barack Obama

Santevia Reaves
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If I could go anywhere in the world, it would be to a safari trip in Botswana, Africa.
What do you want people to remember about you?
I want people to remembered for being a loving soul who has a deep passion for helping others.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Summer.
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Express Yourself by Charles Wright.
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Ari Lennox.

Jenna Wise
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Santorini, Greece
What do you want people to remember about you?
I want to be remembered as someone who could accomplish anything they put their mind to.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Spring
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Pepas by Farruko
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Emma Chamberlain

Aedyn Poole
If you could live anywhere in the world for a year, where would it be?
Cake or Pie?
What would your superpower be if you were a superhero?
What song do you sing for karaoke?
What would the title of your autobiography be?

Brennan Walker
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If I could be anywhere in the world, it would be Australia because I think kangaroos are super cool
What do you want people to remember about you?
I want people to remember how helpful of a person I am
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Fall perfect weather not too hot or cold
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
I won't give up- Jason Mraz
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Barack Obama

Diego Contreras Ortiz
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would go to South America and visit as many countries in the continent as possible.
What do you want people to remember about you?
I would like for people to remember me for being a person that persevered against all odds.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Fall, because it is not too hot or too cold, but on the cooler side.
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Applause by Lady Gaga
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Definitely Harriet Tubman.

Hannah Irving
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I would travel to Vík í Myrdal in Iceland to see the Reynisfjara beach and the Northern Lights. My only true bucket list item is to see the Northern Lights one day.
What do you want people to remember about you?
I hope people remember how much I love my family and how dedicated I am to my passions.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Spring, although Fall is a close second.
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
I would love to share a coffee with Morgan Freeman.

David Foxx
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Rome. I have always wanted to see the Sistine Chapel.
What do you want people to remember about you?
I was always willing to have the conversation.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
I really love the time between Halloween and New Year's. It is a fantastic time to reconnect with friends and enjoy time with family.
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Mark Morrison - Return of the Mack
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
Kayne West. He is equal parts brilliant and insane. He is also extremely candid and would likely have an honest dialogue.

Elizabeth Chavis
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Ireland
What do you want people to remember about you?
I would like to be remembered quite simply as kind and determined.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Early Spring
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Practically any soft piano instrumental.
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
C.S. Lewis

Peace Ajirotutu
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would it be?
If I could go anywhere in the world, it would probably be London! I have always wanted to see "Big Ben" up close!
What do you want people to remember about you?
One thing I want people to remember me as is a hard worker who tried her best in everything.
Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Winter! I hate being hot!
If a song could play every time you entered a room, what would it be?
Flourishing" by Chungha is the song that would play every time I entered the room.
What famous person would you most like to share a coffee with?
A famous person I would love to have coffee with right now would probably be British Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton!
- 30 Brave Minutes Podcast episode featuring REACH Fellow Kaila Thompson -
Research Changes Lives: How UNCP Provides a Pathway to Graduate School for Students from Underrepresented Minority Groups
- REACH Fellow Spotlight -


UNCP’s REACH Program offers a unique experience to undergraduate students interested in pursuing a future academic career in Humanities disciplines. The research experiences provided by the program and the one-to-one mentoring that REACH Fellows receive will make them stronger candidates for graduate programs. REACH truly exemplifies UNCP’s motto, “changing lives through education.” - Dr. Jamie M. Mize
-
ELIGIBILITY
UNCP Students interested in becoming a R.E.A.C.H. Mellon Fellow must be either a rising junior or rising senior, have a minimum GPA of 3.0, but a full-time student with a major or minor in the humanities and agree to participate in a year-long series of events, including a four-week Summer Research Exploration Program.
-
HOW TO APPLY (STUDENTS)
Interested students must apply by completing the application and submitting it and supporting materials by email to Dr. Michele Fazio, Program Director, at michele.fazio@uncp.edu
The 2023-2024 application window will close on Monday, April 10, 2023.
Student fellows and mentors will be paired and notified in time for participation in the Summer Research Exploration Program.
-
HOW TO APPLY (FACULTY)
Full-time faculty interested in serving as mentors must apply by completing a R.E.A.C.H. Mentor Application and submitting it with the required supporting materials by email to Dr. Michele Fazio, Program Director, michele.fazio@uncp.edu.