The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society

 

Bouchet Society

GW Bouchet Society inductees, left to right: Thomas Dolan, Shonda Goward, Justin Mann, Mary Lee, David Jeffries and Rachel Burga

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 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.

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

The following application materials per the nomination guidelines must be submitted by Friday, December 6, 2019 at 5:00 p.m:

From the student nominee:

  1. Personal statement in which you discuss how you embody the Bouchet qualities of scholarship, leadership, character, service, and advocacy for those traditionally underrepresented in the academy (2- page maximum)
  2. A 250-word dissertation or research abstract
  3. A current curriculum vitae (2- page maximum)

All of these materials should be submitted as a single PDF file by email to [email protected]

From a faculty mentor or dissertation advisor:

  1. A letter of recommendation addressing the student's scholarship and qualifications for admission to the Bouchet Society (1-2 pages)

Submitted directly by email to [email protected]

Selection Process:

  • Upon receipt of completed application materials for nominees, the Membership Selection Committee will review all applications.
  • An interview process for finalists will be conducted by faculty and administrator members of the Membership Selection Committee.
  • The Membership Selection Committee will then provide a recommendation of inductees for consideration to the National Steering Committee.
  • The National Steering Committee reviews all nominated applications submitted from chapter institutions and reserves the right to approve or decline membership into the Bouchet Society.

Timeline:

  • Deadline for receipt of nomination letters and application materials – Friday, December 6, 2019
  • Announcement of new members will be on or before February 24, 2020
  • Inaugural GW Bouchet Lecture and  Inductee Ceremony – March 5, 2020
  • 17th Annual Yale Bouchet Conference and Induction Ceremony TBA

GW Inductee List

  • Erica Broadus - Public Policyand  Public Administration 
  • Brittany Lewis - History
  • Elizabeth Tapanes- Anthropology
  • Rachel Burga - Microbiology and Immunology
  • Thomas Dolan - American Studies
  • David Jeffries - Clinical Psychology
  • 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

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 "Reflections on Racism and U.S. Racial Tensions in the 21st Century".

The 2019 Annual Conference took place on Friday, April 5, and Saturday, April 6, at the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences campus.  

Call for Proposals

Call for proposals for the 2020 Annual Conference will be posted when available.  In the meantime please visit the Edward A. Bouchet Conference webpage for information on 2019 proposals.