Description

My name is Dr. Shavonia Wynn, a STEM Scholar Advisor with the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), and I am reaching out to share an opportunity to get involved with one of our academic service initiatives. Founded in 1944, UNCF is dedicated to supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the students who attend them. We are currently recruiting volunteer hosts for the UNCF National Journal Club, a virtual program that brings together undergraduate students from across the country to engage in thoughtful, graduate-level discussions around peer-reviewed academic research. 

Each session is centered on a single academic article, selected and introduced by the host. Articles can be from any field, allowing flexibility based on your interests or expertise. Students receive the article in advance and come prepared to discuss the research design, key findings, and critical analysis. The program is designed to help undergraduates become more confident in reading and analyzing scholarly work, including research design, data interpretation, and identifying common fallacies. These virtual sessions are 60 minutes long, held once per month during the academic year, and take place on weekday evenings (Mon-Thurs) that work best for the host schedule. 

Who Can Host?
We're inviting graduate students, faculty, and professionals—particularly those in education, public health, STEM, or related fields. This opportunity may be especially relevant for:

• Graduate students seeking teaching or facilitation experience (e.g., for capstone requirements)
• Individuals with mentoring or teaching interests
• Professionals who want to support academic development among underrepresented students
  We’re actively looking for hosts for our upcoming fall sessions in November, early December and eight sessions in 2026. We would be grateful for your support in bringing this impactful program to life!

If you believe this would be a good fit for members of your community, please respond to this message and we would be happy to set up a meeting or provide additional information concerning getting involved. 

Thank you for considering this opportunity to support the academic growth of our students!

Warm regards,
Shavonia Wynn, PhD
UNCF STEM Scholar Advisor

Tyra Trotman
UNCF PMPH/STEM Program Manager