Undergrads show original research on the way to Ph.D.s

Most Saturday mornings, senior Brittney Edmonds catches up on sleep. But the English major was awake early Nov. 7, and taking a step toward graduate school.

She and four other Cornell students presented original research at the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship program's 2009 Mid-Atlantic Regional Conference, held at the Africana Studies and Research Center.

The Mellon Mays program supports undergraduate students from historically disadvantaged groups (such as Latinos, African-Americans and Native Americans) to pursue doctoral degrees. The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation created the program in 1988 to increase faculty diversity at colleges and universities. About 3,100 students at 42 institutions now participate in the program.

In addition to Edmonds, the Cornell fellows at the conference were Desiree Barron '10, William Berry '10, Mary Thomas '10 and Ali Nathaniel Wright '11. Fellows from Bryn Mawr College, Haverford College and the University of Pennsylvania also participated.

Edmonds presented a paper about the science fiction of Octavia Butler, one of the best known among the few African-American women in the field. She discussed how Butler challenges traditional gender roles and racial assignments; for example, she introduces alien bodies and transports humans to an extra-solar world. Edmonds is especially drawn to science fiction's imaginative possibilities, she said. "It's a really good way to get at theoretical issues that are popular in the academy right now. The possibilities are boundless."

Up to five fellows are selected at the end of their sophomore year. Working with an adviser, each fellow develops, researches and writes a 25- to 35-page scholarly paper by graduation. They also attend monthly seminars to talk about their projects. The goal is to develop graduate-level research and writing skills and practice presenting their work. Fellows also receive a stipend during the academic year so that they can focus on academics.

Nationwide, about 60 percent of fellows go on to graduate school, of which about 35 percent directly enter Ph.D. programs, according to the Mellon Foundation.

For Edmonds, the program's biggest benefit is the chance to do original research with an adviser, assistant professor of English Dagmawi Woubshet, in her case.

"The program is a really good starting-off point to think about writing critically and the sort of work you have to do in graduate school," Edmonds said. By this time next year, she plans to be studying English literature in a doctoral program.

Media Contact

Joe Schwartz