Open Doors Summer Research Program
2026 Application
Check back in the spring of 2026 for next year's application.
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.
Partner Universities
Norfolk State University
Affiliated Faculty
- Derrick Lanois, faculty
- Cassandra Newby-Alexander, dean, College of Liberal Arts
- Chinedu Okala, associate dean
Virginia State University
Primary Contacts
- Ayana Conway
Affiliated Faculty
- Omar Faison, VPR
- Naha Farhat
- Willis Walter, dean, School of Education
- Isis Walton, dean, College of Graduate Studies
University of Virginia Partners & Sponsors
Summer 2024 Program

Opening Doors: UVA's Collaborative Summer Research Program
The summer research program supports undergraduate students from Virginia State University and Norfolk State University in exploring graduate school and research opportunities.

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.
Contact Us

Jaynae Wright
- Ph.D. Student
- VEST Fellow
- [email protected]
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Ridley Hall 279
PO Box 400265
405 Emmet Street S
Charlottesville, VA 22903

Kelly Garrett
- VEST Program Coordinator
- 434-924-0861
- [email protected]
-
Ridley Hall 150
405 Emmet Street S
Charlottesville, VA 22903 - Wednesdays on Grounds