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Bridging the Gap: The Genesis of the Program

Three years ago, under the visionary leadership of Dr. Tonya Williams Bradford, the Merage School embarked on an ambitious journey to diversify the pipeline of PhD students. Partnering with the University of California Office of the President (UCOP), Bradford and her colleagues, with tremendous support from the Dean’s Office, secured a grant as part of the UC-HBCU Initiative, paving the way for a unique summer program aimed at bringing HBCU students to the UC System to pursue doctoral education in business. This initiative brought four exceptional undergraduates from Talladega College and Allen University to the Merage School campus for seven weeks, marking the first time the Merage School participated in this program. The goal? To introduce these students to the world of research and inspire them to consider PhD studies.

Dr. Bradford shared her enthusiasm, stating, "Our mission is to create opportunities and open doors for talented students who might not have considered research as a career path. This program is a testament to the power of persistence and the importance of inclusive excellence for the Merage School and beyond."

The UC-HBCU Initiative, led by the UC Office of the President, fosters collaboration between UC faculty and HBCUs to enhance UC's teaching, research, and public service missions. Participants who apply to and attend any UC PhD program benefit from waived application fees and enhanced mentorship and support. Over the first ten summers, UC hosted 816 scholars across ten campuses, resulting in 89 Ph.D. students and 5 academic master’s students currently enrolled, with 19 Ph.D. students and 17 master’s students having graduated.

A Transformative Experience: Student Perspectives

The students had a unique opportunity to attend a global marketing conference with Dr. Bradford and their peer mentor Jazmin Henry. While at the conference, they interacted with scholars from around the world. They had opportunities to share their research ideas and gain feedback, as well as to hear various faculty present their research. The students found this experience to be both exhilarating and exhausting.

The students’ experiences have been nothing short of transformative. Josiah Turner, a rising senior from Allen University, expressed his newfound appreciation for research. "Before this program, I never considered pursuing a PhD," he said. "Now, I see the value in advanced studies and how it can enhance my career opportunities. The exposure to research methods and academic resources has been eye-opening."

Morgan Grant, also from Allen University, echoed similar sentiments. "This program opened my eyes to different academic pathways beyond a bachelor's degree. Meeting students from other HBCUs and sharing our experiences has been incredibly enriching."

Trijana Smith, a sophomore from Allen University, found inspiration in the structured and intentional nature of the program. "I never thought about getting a PhD before this. The program has made me reevaluate my goals and think critically about my future. It's been amazing to see how following your interests can lead you to where you need to be."

Leadership and Mentorship: Key Drivers of Success

On the ground daily with Dr. Bradford is Dr. Libby Weber who worked across the School to engage faculty partners to work to deliver timely content to support students along their research journey. Their intention was to provide an immersive and instructive research experience that included faculty from across the Merage School. The students engaged with Merage faculty to learn about research with Professors Sharon Koppman, Hope Schau, Kalinda Ukanwa, John Joseph, and Eric Spangenberg, They learned about writing up and presenting academic research and the parts involved from Professors Luyi Gui, Violina Rindova, Devin Shankthikumar, Patrick Bergemann, and Kevin Bradford, as well as Doctoral Candidates Jazmin Henry and Jeesoo Kim. Beyond the School, Bradford participated with faculty across UCI who were PIs for other UC-HBCU Initiatives to create community building experiences across the 50 students engaged in various programs.

"Working with these talented, brilliant, and motivated students has been game changing,” said Dr. Weber. “Our goal was to create an immersive and supportive research environment that not only introduced them to advanced academic concepts but also fostered a strong sense of community. It's been inspiring to see their growth and enthusiasm, and I am confident that their experiences here will propel them towards successful careers. They are each more than capable of completing a PhD if they choose to do so–I hope they do!"

A central aspect of the program is peer mentoring. That role was filled by Jazmin Henry who is a Merage PhD student and HBCU alumna. Henry’s role has been pivotal in providing support and fostering a sense of community among the participants.

Jazmin Henry shared her thoughts on the program's impact, stating, "Mentoring these students reminds me of why I chose to enter the academy. It has been a rewarding experience. Seeing their surprise at the variety of things academics study as well as their growth and enthusiasm for research. I know I benefited from strong role models–like Dr. Merlyn Griffiths at University of North Carolina, Greensboro, a Merage Marketing PhD who was one of my MBA professors. Working with these students reminds me of my own journey and the importance of having strong role models."

The program’s holistic approach also included cultural enrichment activities, such as whale watching and farmers market visits, which helped build camaraderie and fellowship among the students and faculty. These experiences, combined with rigorous academic training, have equipped the students with valuable skills and insights, setting them on a path to success.

"We want the participants to understand what it may be like to not just go to any PhD program,” said Dr. Bradford. “But to be a part of the PhD program at the Merage School--it was important to me and Libby that the students experienced various aspects of being in Orange County."

A Bright Future: Continuing the Journey

As the program concludes, the students will present their research projects, showcasing their lines of research inquiry and plans for future studies. This presentation will mark the culmination of their hard work and the beginning of their potential careers in academia. The Merage School's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in research will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on these students and inspire future cohorts to pursue their academic dreams.

Dr. Bradford summed up the program’s essence beautifully: "I see this program as planting many seeds of possibility that will not only shape the students' future but also enrich the inclusive excellence intentions and efforts for the academic community at large by elevating inclusivity."