REACH
Unlock Opportunity
The REACH Program opens doors to graduate studies and careers in academia. You’ll work one-on-one with a faculty mentor to develop your own research project, with funding available for research expenses, travel, graduate exams, and application fees. You’ll also take part in the Summer Research Exploration Program, which includes room and board while you focus on your project.
Make an Impact Through Research
of REACH alumni secure graduate spots at prestigious schools
Fellows Selected Each Year
REACH in Action
REACH students are pushing boundaries — from their local communities to the national stage. See their work and envision how your own research could change the future.
Research That Inspires
Reach enabled me to travel to Pearl Harbor for my research. I love reading about World War II and Pearl Harbor, so it was interesting visiting this place that I’ve read about my whole life – –standing above the sunken USS Arizona and watching the oil leak out–it was moving.
National Exposure
Imagine what you could do with the opportunity to share your research on a national stage. REACH students are doing just that. From Christopher Green's research on baseball logos to Kayla Wingfield’s study on child labor. These students are gaining experience that could help them in their future careers. The REACH program gives them the chance to present at national conferences, connect with experts and take their work to the next level.
Being able to present my research on the national level has been an amazing experience. This opportunity will hopefully provide me with more opportunities in the future, whether in the workforce or more academic settings such as grad school.
Literature Meets Change
Kayla Wingfield’s research in the REACH program inspired her to dive deep into the realities of child labor. As an English major, she worked on a project that combined her love for literature with a passion for social change. Her research helped her understand different cultures and issues that aren’t often discussed. By stepping out of her comfort zone, Wingfield gained valuable experience that will shape her future career. What could your research uncover?
Even going through the research phase (like consulting with professors and anthropologists) will help me to work with people after college because, as someone who is shy when collaborating with people, doing my project has been getting me out of my shell.
Preserving Culture
Join students like Ahelayus Oxouzidis and Unmai Arokiasamy in community-driven research. These two UNCP students worked on an oral history project with the Lumbee Tribe. This initiative is part of their REACH fellowship. They are helping to create a meaningful archive while learning important research skills that will shape their future. Other students, like De'Maurion Shelley and Angelina Henhawk, are studying topics such as gender in Indigenous communities and the well-being of Native youth.
Through REACH, you can work on meaningful projects like these, gain skills, connect with mentors and make a real impact through research.
This research will give me experience working with Indigenous youth, especially in an area like Pembroke. I’ll have the opportunity to create my programs with the kids here and develop programs I can incorporate in the future.
Research That Inspires
Reach enabled me to travel to Pearl Harbor for my research. I love reading about World War II and Pearl Harbor, so it was interesting visiting this place that I’ve read about my whole life – –standing above the sunken USS Arizona and watching the oil leak out–it was moving.
National Exposure
Imagine what you could do with the opportunity to share your research on a national stage. REACH students are doing just that. From Christopher Green's research on baseball logos to Kayla Wingfield’s study on child labor. These students are gaining experience that could help them in their future careers. The REACH program gives them the chance to present at national conferences, connect with experts and take their work to the next level.
Being able to present my research on the national level has been an amazing experience. This opportunity will hopefully provide me with more opportunities in the future, whether in the workforce or more academic settings such as grad school.
Literature Meets Change
Kayla Wingfield’s research in the REACH program inspired her to dive deep into the realities of child labor. As an English major, she worked on a project that combined her love for literature with a passion for social change. Her research helped her understand different cultures and issues that aren’t often discussed. By stepping out of her comfort zone, Wingfield gained valuable experience that will shape her future career. What could your research uncover?
Even going through the research phase (like consulting with professors and anthropologists) will help me to work with people after college because, as someone who is shy when collaborating with people, doing my project has been getting me out of my shell.
Preserving Culture
Join students like Ahelayus Oxouzidis and Unmai Arokiasamy in community-driven research. These two UNCP students worked on an oral history project with the Lumbee Tribe. This initiative is part of their REACH fellowship. They are helping to create a meaningful archive while learning important research skills that will shape their future. Other students, like De'Maurion Shelley and Angelina Henhawk, are studying topics such as gender in Indigenous communities and the well-being of Native youth.
Through REACH, you can work on meaningful projects like these, gain skills, connect with mentors and make a real impact through research.
This research will give me experience working with Indigenous youth, especially in an area like Pembroke. I’ll have the opportunity to create my programs with the kids here and develop programs I can incorporate in the future.
Eligibility and Applications
REACH Eligibility
- Must be entering junior or senior year
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0
- Be a full-time student in the humanities
- Participate in a year-long series of events, including a four-week Summer Research Exploration Program
Student Applications
All qualified students with a passion for the humanities are encouraged to apply. Complete the application and submit it with all supporting materials by email to Dr. Michele Fazio at michele.fazio@uncp.edu.
Faculty Mentor Application
Download and complete the Faculty Mentor Application. Submit it and the supporting materials by email to Dr. Michele Fazio, Program Director at michele.fazio@uncp.edu.
Launching Academic Careers
I honestly don’t think I would’ve gotten into the doctoral program at Duke if not for the research experience I received through REACH.
Jessica Muñiz
History '22From UNCP to PhD
Jessica Muñiz is one of many REACH graduates who have advanced in their academic careers.
She graduated UNCP and went on to pursue her PhD at Duke University, studying the buried legacies of Puerto Rican workers recruited to work on war-related projects during World War I.
With 70% of REACH alumni securing graduate spots at prestigious schools, Jessica’s success continues the legacy.
REACH Faculty
