The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society

 

Bouchet Society nominees, from left, Dana Burton, Eden A. Dejene, Cheriko (Riko) Boone, Drishti Pillai and Diana Ainembabazi

2020 Bouchet Society nominees, from left, Dana Burton, Eden A. Dejene, Cheriko (Riko) Boone, Drishti Pillai and Diana Ainembabazi

In the spirit of Edward Alexander Bouchet—the first self-identified African American to earn a doctorate from an American university—the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate.

Bouchet Society members form a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster a supportive environment and serve as examples of scholarship, leadership, character, service and advocacy for students who have been traditionally underrepresented in the academy.

 

Edward Alexander Bouchet

Named for the first African American doctoral recipient in the United States, the Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement and promotes diversity and excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate.

The Society, which was chartered jointly by Yale and Howard universities in 2005, now includes 18 chapters at universities around the country. The goal of these chapters is to develop a network of preeminent scholars who exemplify academic and personal excellence, foster environments of support, and serve as examples of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy for those who have been traditionally underrepresented in the academy.

In the spirit of Bouchet’s commitment to these pursuits both within and without the academic realm, inductees into the honor society bearing his name should also exhibit these qualities.

Eligibility

All Ph.D. students at the George Washington University who have been advanced to candidacy (i.e., have completed the coursework and general examination required for their degree) are eligible for nomination to the Society. Applicants should currently be enrolled in a Ph.D. program - students in other doctoral programs are not eligible.

Students may nominate themselves for this honor, or they may be nominated by their departments or by a member of the GWU faculty.

All nominees should exemplify the five Bouchet qualities of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy. (Priority consideration will be given to those who intend to pursue academic careers and who are from communities historically underrepresented in the academy.)

Nomination & Application

Applications for induction into the Bouchet Society for 2021 are now closed. 

GW Inductee List

  • Diana Ainembabazi - Chemistry
  • Cheriko (Riko) Boone - Applied Social Psychology
  • Dana Burton - Anthropology
  • Eden Dejene - Molecular Medicine
  • Drishti Pillai - Public Policy and Administration
  • Erica Broadus - Public Policyand  Public Administration 
  • Brittany Lewis - History
  • Elizabeth Tapanes- Anthropology

 

  • Rachel Burga - Microbiology and Immunology
  • Thomas Dolan - American Studies
  • Shonda L. Goward - Higher Education Administration
  • David Jeffries - Clinical Psychology
  • Mary K. Lee - Higher Education Administration
  • Justin Louis Mann - American Studies
  • Ashley Brown - American Studies
  • Julieta Lischinsky - Molecular Medicine
  • Amelia Villasenor - Hominid Paleobiology
  • Hakim J. Walker - Mathematics
  • Chong Wang - Applied Mathematics
  • Marine Bouyssi-Kobar - Neuroscience
  • Alejandra Fernandez - Neuroscience
  • Fabiana Sofia Perera - Political Science
  • Maria C. Vila - Biomedical Sciences
  • Craig Allen - American Studies
  • Maia Gil'Adi - English
  • Travis Kinder - Microbiology and Immunology
  • Gina Mary - Microbiology and Immunology
  • Jason Suagee - Mathematics
  • Habiba Chirchir - Hominid Paleobiology
  • Carol L. Lautier-Woodley - American Studies
  • Nedda Mehdizadeh – English
  • Mariel Figueroa - Microbiology and Immunology
  • Anna Holster - Public Policy
  • Laurey Lahey - American Studies
  • Amber Wiley - American Studies
  • Erin Marie Williams - Hominid Paleobiology
  • Elizabeth Pittman - 19th & 20th Cent. African Am. Lit & History
  • Constance Woodard - English

Bouchet Society Chapters

Yale University and Howard University are the founding chapters of the Bouchet Society. The national charter was inaugurated on Sept. 15, 2005, in commemoration of Edward Bouchet’s birthday.

The GW Bouchet Society Chapter was founded in 2011 under the direction of Tara Wallace, former associate dean for graduate studies in the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

Chapter Institutions

  • Yale University                                       
  • Howard University
  • Cornell University
  • Emory University
  • Johns Hopkins University
  • Michigan State University
  • Northwestern University
  • Rutgers University
  • The Chicago School of Professional Psychology
  • The George Washington University
  • University of California, Los Angeles
  • University of California, San Diego
  • University of Florida
  • University of Miami
  • University of Michigan
  • University of Wisconsin, Madison
  • Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
  • Washington University, St. Louis

 

Membership

Individuals must be nominated for membership in the Bouchet Society and approved by the National Steering Committee.

Levels of Membership

Doctoral Student Membership is available to any individual who is currently a doctoral student in good academic standing and, through initial research achievement in the humanities, social science or science field, has demonstrated outstanding promise as a scholar, as evidenced by independent investigation or current work on a dissertation project.

Postdoctoral Membership is available to any individual who has received their PhD degree within the last 6 years and, through initial research achievement in a humanity, social science or science field, has demonstrated outstanding promise as a scholar, as evidenced by independent investigation, completion of the dissertation and publications.

Faculty Membership is conferred upon any individual who has demonstrated noteworthy achievement as a scholar and exemplar of the Bouchet Society’s mission. The faculty member must currently hold an appointment in the humanities, social sciences or sciences and have records of publication and evidence of research and teaching in their field of study. Individuals who are invited to membership have, by virtue of their scholarship, research, teaching and service, shown their commitment to ensuring excellence and equity in graduate education.

Alumni Membership is conferred upon any individual who has demonstrated noteworthy achievement as a scholar and exemplar of the Bouchet Society’s mission in the humanities, social sciences or sciences, and received their PhD from the member institution. Individuals who are invited to membership have, by virtue of their scholarship, research, teaching and service, shown their commitment to ensuring excellence and equity in graduate education.

Lifetime or Honorary Membership is conferred upon any individual who has demonstrated outstanding and noteworthy achievement as a scholar and exemplar of the Bouchet Society’s mission in the humanities, social sciences and sciences. Individuals who are invited to membership have, by virtue of their scholarship, research, teaching and service, shown their commitment to ensuring excellence and equity in graduate education. 

 

Annual Conference at Yale University

The Annual Yale Bouchet Conference on Diversity and Graduate Education originates from the founding collaboration between Yale University and Howard University.

Dynamic and increasingly recognized for its academic importance, the conference enables attendees to engage in vigorous discussions on diversity in graduate education and learn more about ongoing research across disciplines at other universities. The conference is also an extraordinary opportunity to network with graduate and undergraduate students, faculty and administrators from across the country.

This year's theme is "Our Social Justice Imperative: Shifting Societal Norms".