The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship (MMUF) was founded partly to rectify the marked underrepresentation of minority students in academia. Funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, headquartered in New York City, the Washington University Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship celebrates the life of the mind by funding original undergraduate research in the humanities and social sciences, with an emphasis on projects pertaining to identity, social justice, and diversity. The program encourages talented students to develop their academic interests to the fullest, obtain Ph.D.s, and pursue careers in higher education. Washington University joins 34 other colleges and universities as well as the 38 member institutions of the United Negro College Fund in this effort.
The Seminar
As participants in this two-year program, Fellows take part in a weekly three-credit seminar coordinated by Professor Joseph Thompson. These meetings focus on topics central to the liberal arts, what it means to be an academic, and the research and writing process. Other program activities include an extended orientation in the spring of the sophomore year, compiling the student research journal The Inquiry, writing an annual newsletter, inviting speakers, and attending a bi-yearly regional conference. Fellows also work with younger students of the Washington University community and maintain a working relationship with their faculty mentors.
Each Fellow also performs independent summer research tailored to the individual, in consultation with the faculty mentor, and reports monthly to the Faculty Coordinator and mentor.
Mentoring Relationships
The mentoring relationship is essential to the legacy of the Mellon Mays Program. Named after Dr. Benjamin E. Mays, himself a great "spiritual mentor" to the likes of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Julian Bond, and Andrew Young, the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program seeks to actively engage its mentors and students in a successful research partnership. This is both to introduce the student to the process of research, and the moment of intellectual self-discovery.
To provide greater awareness of what it means to be an academic, each Mellon Fellow works closely with a faculty mentor during the academic year to plan a mutually agreeable research project. During the academic year and the summer, mentors and Fellows communicate regularly to discuss research progress, challenges, and ideas. This is a time for Fellows to learn from their faculty mentors, get advice, and evaluate their own progress.
Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays
Dr. Benjamin Elijah Mays was an active opponent of segregation and an advocate of education. After attending the University of Chicago for his master’s degree and doctorate, he served as dean of the Howard University School of Religion and as president of Morehouse College. He was also the first black president of the Atlanta school board.
"The faculty and staff in Arts & Sciences are incredibly supportive, whether you’re pursuing a study-abroad opportunity or organizing a community service project."
