See what recent Irvis Fellows have to say about being part of the Irvis fellowship program—including advice for future students!
"The Irvis fellowship allowed me to expand on my research. I had time to connect and collaborate with multiple faculty members in different areas of psychology and social work."
— Daniel Labrousse, Psychology
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What has your experience been like in the Irvis fellowship program?
The Irvis fellowship allowed me to expand on my research. I had time to connect and collaborate with multiple faculty members in different areas of psychology and social work. The financial support allowed me to receive guidance and mentorship without any costs.
What has been the most valuable part of the Irvis fellowship program?
The graduate student community was the most valuable part of the program. I was able to make long-lasting friendships with students from other disciplines. The busy schedule of graduate school rarely allows underrepresented students from different academic programs to connect.
What would your advice be for future students in the program?
School can be demanding, but social events and connecting with other graduate students are important. Take the opportunity to talk to someone new and get to know other students in the program. I appreciated the friendly atmosphere of the staff and students in the program.
"I am thankful for being part of this Fellowship that recognizes and supports excellence in students from underrepresented backgrounds and prepares them for leadership positions in many fields."
— Nicene McNeil, English
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Being a part of the Irvis fellowship program has been an absolutely amazing experience. The opportunities and connections I have been able to make are priceless.
The most valuable part of this program has been the people I’ve encountered from all different departments within the university. When I came to Pittsburgh for my PhD program, I did not know many people here and was eager to make new connections. The Irvis fellowship program introduced me to several graduate students from various departments who have become colleagues, support systems, study buddies and friends!
My advice for incoming Irvis fellows would be to participate in everything! As much as your schedule allows, attend all the luncheons, dinners, meetings, etc. Also, I would strongly encourage you to join SREB. When my cohort of Irvis fellows went to the SREB conference in Tampa (Fall 2023) it was the best experience. Not only were the sessions interesting, relevant, and helpful but that conference is what really solidified the camaraderie that we, as Irvis fellows, have developed.
The K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship has afforded me opportunities that I never imagined, and has made my first year at Pitt a dream. I look forward to what the future holds, I am proud to be a part of the K. Leroy Irvis legacy at the University of Pittsburgh.
— Melanie Moseley, Music
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As a K. Leroy Irvis Fellow, I have been fortunate enough to interact with extraordinary students and faculty at the University of Pittsburgh and surrounding colleges and universities.
Through Irvis, I have received invitations to attend various events such as Pitt’s 2023 Race &… Conference, educational workshops, and the University of Pittsburgh’s 2024 Graduate Honors Convocation. This fellowship has also allowed me to become a member of the Southern Regional Doctoral Scholars Program as well as attend their 30th Annual Institute on Teaching and Mentoring in Tampa, Florida (2023). Additionally, I look forward to attending the upcoming conference in New Orleans during the fall 2024 semester.
I was granted the opportunity to co-host the University of Pittsburgh’s 30th Annual Graduate Students of Color Dinner and was included in the K. Leroy Irvis Black History Month Celebration planning process as a Student Representative.
I am grateful to have met academic professionals such as Dr. Alydia Thomas, Dr. Philippa Carter, Dr. Amanda Godley, Dr. Amy Twyning, Dr. Jonathan Woon, Chance Wideman, and Dr. Natasha Tokowicz who have worked diligently to foster healthy relationships and create safe spaces for my colleagues and me.
The K. Leroy Irvis Fellowship has afforded me opportunities that I never imagined, and has made my first year at Pitt a dream. I look forward to what the future holds, I am proud to be a part of the K. Leroy Irvis legacy at the University of Pittsburgh.
I met the most amazing people in this program that have become a support system and friends that can rely on each other.
— Casandra Paiz, Anthropology
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What has your experience been like in the Irvis fellowship program?
It has been amazing! Especially as a first year who came in not knowing anyone or even much about graduate school, the support the Irvis fellowship has given me has been so helpful and truly has shaped my experience at Pitt so far. It has made my adjustment back into academia a lot smoother and has allowed me to really get to know others (both students and faculty) outside of my department that I wouldn’t have crossed paths with others.
What has been the most valuable part of the Irvis fellowship program?
One of the most important parts to me was the community that Irvis creates. I met the most amazing people in this program that have become a support system and friends that can rely on each other. It shows that you aren’t alone in your experiences and has created a community built off of shared understandings, which has become invaluable through my time at Pitt.
What would your advice be for future students in the program?
Utilize every resource offered to you by Irvis. Every workshop, lunch, conference, and activity has been so helpful in both forming that community and also gaining skills that you might not learn in your own program. Even the ones that you may not think apply to you, go anyway, as you will most likely benefit from the event in some way, though it’s not always the way you would think! Balance your required department work with non-department pursuits since you can sometimes get sucked into your academic work. Irvis allows for you to take a step back and take care of yourself as both a student and as a person. Accepting the resources they give is important in a multitude of ways, so take advantage of it while you can.
The most valuable part of the Irvis fellowship is the mentoring program and the networking opportunities. I received additional training through the fellowship (motivational, mentoring, professional development, approaches to reading, and more).
— Nadine Robert, Oral and Craniofacial Sciences
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I really enjoy my experience in the Irvis fellowship program. I am in my fourth year as a Ph.D. student in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences at Pitt Dental Medicine. It is also my 6th year as a graduate student at Pitt because I completed my MSc degree in Oral Biology from the same department in 2020.
This year has been special to me because it enhanced my overall experience at the University of Pittsburgh. I gained so much more in knowledge, network, and attributes. I found additional support besides the one that I received from my mentor, my thesis committee, my peer students, and the OCS department.
The Irvis fellows are very supportive, friendly, cheerful, and easy-going. We bound easily, we value each other’s experience and milestone. I am thankful for being part of this Fellowship that recognizes and supports excellence in students from underrepresented backgrounds and prepare them for leadership positions in many fields.
The most valuable part of the Irvis fellowship is the mentoring program and the networking opportunities. I received additional training through the fellowship (motivational, mentoring, professional development, approaches to reading, and more). I participated in the Institute of Learning and Teaching conference in Tampa in 2023 where I met so many Black, Latinx, and underrepresented students from the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). I learned a lot from the experience of the speakers, most importantly how they navigate their paths to accumulate success along their way.
Through the Irvis Fellowship, I expanded my network at Pitt: The Irvis fellows are from different programs, I learned from their research, their struggles, and their small and big wins. I had more interactions with the Vice-Provost Dr Godley, I met also other faculty members, staff from different schools, departments, and the Office of the Vice-Provost.
My advice for future student will be to take advantage of the program and receive additional mentorship. Be involved and grow your network. Get to know your peer fellows: it is great to be a part of a community especially when you are away from home. There are so many fun activities (dinner, luncheon, etc.) that will help you maintain your work-life balance.
Find some time in your busy graduate student schedule to participate in some of them. The program will offer you many tools and opportunities to thrive in your studies, get the best out of them.
Lastly, do not forget to create long-lasting relationships and memories, they will stay forever.