WSSU chancellor’s visit to Nashville transforms into impromptu medical research consortium with alumni
Winston-Salem State University’s (WSSU) spirit of collaboration and commitment to excellence was on full display during Chancellor Bonita Brown’s recent visit to Nashville, Tennessee. What began as a routine trip transformed into a powerful showcase of alumni engagement, institutional partnerships, and ambitious plans for future growth.
Chancellor Brown was attending an NCAA convention in Nashville when she requested that Kevan Turman, WSSU vice chancellor for University Advancement, reach out to some donors in the area with which she could engage.
“We just thought we were going to have coffee. Kevan made a few phone calls, and he made one phone call that felt like we hit the jackpot,” Brown said. “One of our alums is a research faculty member at Vanderbilt School of Medicine and has connections at Meharry and Fisk. Before I knew it, we were having dinner with 20 people, mostly who were all medical doctors with large research projects.”
The gathering was hosted by Dr. Antentor Hinton Jr., WSSU Class of 2010. The attendees shared valuable information with WSSU leaders regarding research and internship opportunities.
One of the highlights of this meeting was a conversation with Dr. Jennifer Gaddy of Vanderbilt University, who discussed their Research Initiative for Scholar Diversity to Uphold Veteran Health (RISE-UP) Program. This initiative offers underrepresented students, including veterans and their children, an eight-week summer research experience focused on clinical and scientific research related to veteran health.
Recognizing the potential for WSSU students to benefit from this program, Brown emphasized the university’s commitment to serving as a pipeline institution. With nine slots available annually, WSSU aims to ensure that its students are well-represented in this transformative research opportunity.
Another key partnership explored during the meeting was with Meharry Medical College, a historic institution renowned for its contributions to biomedical research. Dr. Mary Lindsey, dean of Graduate Studies at Meharry, shared the college’s impressive legacy of awarding more than 15% of all biomedical doctorate degrees earned by African Americans in the United States.
Expressing a desire to increase that number, Lindsey highlighted the need for strong partnerships to achieve this goal. WSSU and Meharry are now poised to create a direct pipeline for WSSU students into Meharry’s graduate biomedical programs. This collaboration aims to address the national need for more Black biomedical scientists and strengthen diversity in the field.
The visit also included discussions with faculty members from Meharry and Fisk University. Dr. Jamaine Davis (Meharry) and Dr. Steven Damo (Fisk) presented their research interests, sparking ideas for potential joint projects and mentorship opportunities for WSSU students.
Chancellor Brown expressed enthusiasm for these future collaborations, with plans to schedule follow-up discussions to solidify these partnerships.
A broader conversation during the visit focused on pathways for institutions such as WSSU to achieve R2 Research status, a designation that signifies high research activity.
The visit also highlighted WSSU alumni making strides in their fields. Dr. James Johnson (Class of 2011) and Dr. Ashley Pierce (Class of 2010) were recognized as rising leaders in their respective industries. Brown emphasized the importance of connecting with these accomplished alumni to strengthen professional mentorship opportunities and inspire current students.
Brown’s visit to Nashville demonstrated WSSU’s unwavering dedication to creating opportunities for students, fostering meaningful partnerships, and celebrating alumni success.
