Open Doors Summer Research Program

The Open Doors program is a collaboration among faculty and graduate students at the University of Virginia (UVA), Norfolk State University (NSU), and Virginia State University (VSU) to provide students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with the opportunity to learn about conducting research. The program is for undergraduate students who may be interested in pursuing graduate research degrees.

In this program participants will:

  • engage in the research and writing process that will lead to a research product and presentation that reflects their strengths, interests, and goals;
  • gain a deeper understanding of the opportunities available to them in graduate school;
  • have the opportunity to examine the complexities and multiple layers of their intersectional identities, identify assets and cultural wealth, and identify academic strengths and areas of growth; and
  • build relationships with faculty and graduate student mentors.

The program typically runs for four weeks in June with a combination of virtual and in-person (Charlottesville, VA) learning opportunities.

2023 Application Information Coming Soon

This program is designed for students interested in exploring graduate school, including students with diverse research interests including but not limited to education, psychology, and public policy.

UVA Contacts

For questions about the Open Doors program please contact us

Partner Universities

Norfolk State University

  • Derrick Lanois, faculty
  • Cassandra Newby-Alexander, dean, College of Liberal Arts
  • Chinedu Okala, associate dean

Virginia State University

  • Ayana Conway, faculty
  • Omar Faison, VPR
  • Naha Farhat
  • Willis Walter, dean, School of Education
  • Isis Walton, dean, College of Graduate Studies

View of a classroom from the back of the room looking forward. A person's hand is raised in the air holding a pencil.

VEST Fellowship Program

Open Doors was initiated in 2021 with funding from the Virginia Education Science Training (VEST) grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The program is also supported by fellows and faculty associated with the VEST program. VEST integrates the use of theoretical models of causal inference from various sciences (e.g., psychology, economics, biostatistics) with research designs, analytic techniques and methods that support causal inferences in studies of school, classroom and program effects.

Learn More

Summer 2022 Program