For many graduate scholars, the path to research is not just academic, it’s deeply personal. It’s shaped by where they come from, the communities that raised them, and the questions they carry into their work.
That’s exactly what defines this year’s ACT Scholars at the University of Iowa.
Across disciplines and backgrounds, these nine scholars share a common thread: understanding and improving human systems, especially within social, cultural, educational, and behavioral contexts. From psychology and counseling, social work, and anthropology to education, religion, communication, and toxicology, these scholars are pursuing Ph.D.’s in areas that explore the human experience.
And behind each of these journeys is a critical enabler: the ACT Scholars Program at the University of Iowa.
The ACT Scholars initiative was designed to reduce barriers and create opportunities, particularly for students from backgrounds historically underrepresented in higher education, with tuition dollars and a professional development fund. But beyond financial support, the scholarship creates something even more powerful: the conditions for scholars to fully invest in their work, their growth, and their impact.
If there is one theme that resonates across this year’s nine scholars, it’s mentorship.
Each scholar points to the relationships they’ve built — with faculty advisors, peers, and professional networks — as central to their success. These aren’t just academic connections; they are sources of guidance, affirmation, and accountability.
“As a bachelor-to-Ph.D. student and someone who is neurodivergent, graduate school presented unique challenges. Dr. Kate Magsamen-Conrad has been an incredible mentor, guiding me through research, teaching, and professional development, especially during the pandemic. She introduced me to community-based participatory research, which transformed how I think about research, advocacy, and activism.” - Samantha Rose
Mentorship can play a decisive role in persistence and achievement, particularly for students from underrepresented and first-generation backgrounds. It provides not only technical guidance but also a sense of belonging and direction.
“I had a wonderful mentor, Dr. Grazyna Kochanska, who was the principal investigator in the Child Lab at the University of Iowa. She offered me my first research opportunity as a research assistant in her lab, trusting me to run experiments and code. She paved my path toward graduate school.” – Aubrey McEnroe
The ACT Scholar Program amplifies this effect. By embedding scholars in environments rich with mentorship — whether through faculty support, collaborative cohorts, or professional development — it ensures that students are not navigating their academic journeys alone.
For first-generation scholars in this cohort, pursuing a Ph.D. can be a groundbreaking achievement.
Without inherited knowledge of how to navigate academic systems, these students can find the higher education landscape a bit overwhelming without a clear roadmap. Yet their perspectives and life experiences inspire and motivate their work.
“One of the biggest challenges I faced was navigating higher education without prior family experience to guide me, particularly during transitions into graduate and doctoral-level work. I overcame this by seeking out mentors, asking questions, and building strong peer and professional support networks.” - Morgan Stangl
Financial support often plays a particularly crucial role here. By reducing the need for outside employment and alleviating financial pressure, the ACT scholarship allows first-generation scholars to focus on what matters most: their research, their development, and their long-term goals.
“Being first-generation meant I had to learn the ‘rules of the system’ while also learning the science of my program. I did not grow up knowing how to find research opportunities, how to build careers, or which decisions matter long-term, so I became very intentional about asking questions early, seeking training environments that truly teach you, and building long-term relationships rather than one-time interactions. It also shaped my values. I care a lot about making science feel reachable. When you have had to build your own map, you notice how many talented students never get one, and you do not forget that.” - Shri Vishalini Rajaram
For the recipients of the ACT Scholar Program, research is not fortuitous — it’s deeply connected to their own lives and stories.
This kind of connection to academic work is powerful. It brings urgency, authenticity, and insight that cannot be replicated through isolated study alone.
Whether exploring education systems, human behavior, or STEM subjects, these scholars are often asking questions that are rooted in their lived experiences:
The ACT Scholar Program helps Ph.D. candidates translate these personal motivations into rigorous, high-impact research. By providing funding for their dissertations, professional development, and research resources, it allows scholars to pursue questions that matter, not just academically, but socially and personally.
“For my Ph.D. research, I am exploring the strategies that residents of Makoko, a large state marginalized shack community characterized by inadequate infrastructure, such as waste disposal and drainage systems, hospitals, safe and hygienic water, utilize to build community developed infrastructure to manage malaria and typhoid, the most impactful public health problems in their community.” - Ebenezer Olamiposi Adeyemi
Support from programs like this ensures that research is not only produced, but that it is meaningful.
Many of the ACT Scholar Program recipients bring international perspectives to their work, enriching both their research and their academic communities with their cultures and global perspectives.
Being an international scholar often comes with additional layers of complexity — adapting to new systems, navigating visa constraints, and building networks far from home. Yet these scholars also contribute invaluable worldly insight.
“My motivation to attend college is shaped by both personal curiosity and cultural influences. I have always been eager to understand social problems, how they affect people’s lives, and why certain social phenomena occur. Growing up in an environment where folklore and storytelling were often used to explain the world around me sparked my desire to seek deeper, evidence-based answers. This curiosity motivated me to pursue higher education. As someone shaped by that cultural background, I sought knowledge that would allow me to better understand and address social issues. Through this process, my academic interests became clearer, and I now aim to bridge gaps in knowledge and contribute meaningfully to advance the field of education and creating positive social change.” - Mavis Gyesi
Stories like this demonstrate how their work frequently bridges contexts:
“I am a fifth-year doctoral candidate in the Department of Religious Studies. My dissertation looks at the intersection of religion, migration, and food. Currently, I am conducting fieldwork research on the Nigerian immigrant community in Uptown Chicago and investigating the role of food and religious spaces in their resettlement processes.” - Osamamen Oba Eduviere
The ACT Scholar Program at the University of Iowa is not just a funding source — it’s a defining part of these doctoral candidates’ academic journeys.
Scholarship support enables students to:
This combination of time, funding, and institutional support is what empowers scholars to transform from promising students into emerging leaders in their fields.
“After completing my Ph.D., I hope to work in higher education as a researcher and educator. My goal is to contribute to more equitable language and education practices, especially in multilingual and international contexts.” - Mengyi Liu
The ACT Scholars Program at the University of Iowa supports Ph.D. students for up to two academic years so they can prepare and present their dissertations. This is a highly competitive program, and students from underrepresented backgrounds are highly encouraged to apply.
This initiative plays a key role in supporting these scholars by providing financial stability that enables them to focus on building relationships and contributing their unique perspectives. To date, ACT has awarded $3,358,516 to 39 Ph.D. scholars. In doing so, it strengthens not just individual scholars but the broader academic community.
“The ACT Scholarship has been tremendous for me! I need an extra year beyond what would be funded through my program. I would be in a really desperate position without the guaranteed funding that has allowed me to fully concentrate on my dissertation.” - Solomon Fenton-Miller
Prospective Ph.D. candidates, especially those from underrepresented groups, can find application and general requirements about the ACT Scholar Program at the University of Iowa here.