2007

Biology/Pre-Professional

Triangle, Virginia

Not yet

4th year PhD student in Neuroscience Graduate Program at The University of Alabama at Birmingham

DNIMAS is a scholarship program at Norfolk State University for students who are interested in the basic sciences, mathematics, and engineering. The program prepares its students for graduate school and/or professional school.

DNIMAS definitely put me on track to get into graduate school. The requirements set gave me a huge advantage when I was applying for school (not my words- I was told this by my interviewers and current graduate school program director.) Not only did I have research experience by virtue of the summer internships that we were required to do, I also had taken (and passed) classes that serve as a foundation for first year graduate studies. Also, I have no school

loans to pay back, making it much easier to focus on school!

One of the most important things that I got out of DNIMAS was the importance of giving back to and inspiring

others. So often I find that people tend to get caught up in what they are doing and achieving their goals that they forget to reach back and help others. Volunteer work is a huge component of my life because of DNIMAS. Even though that one hour volunteer work requirement each week was a pain (at the time), it showed me just how influential

I can be in one person’s life. During my time at UAB, I have initiated Brain Awareness Week activities as well as volunteer as Girl Scout troop leader-two things that I wouldn’t have even thought to do had it not been for DNIMAS.

Spartan Calvary, was an ACCESS tutor, volunteered with local Girl Scout troop, member of Alpha Kappa Alpha

Sorority, Inc.

Studying (and socializing—a lot!) in the study room in Lee Smith during Junior year.

There was a lot of variability in requirements/ expectations. I understand that changes were made to make the program a little more solid but the constant shift in requirements made it difficult for us to know what was

required or expected of us at times.

I think that without DNIMAS, I would have taken a different road professionally. I do not think that I would be in graduate school now had I not been in this program. On a non academic/professional level, I think that I would not push myself the way I do now had I not been in the program. Being in DNIMAS forced me out of my comfort zone and caused me to challenge myself.

Yes

First and foremost, enjoy your time in undergrad because you will definitely miss it when it is over. Second, always

keep in mind that all the DNIMAS requirements are set in place for a reason. Once you graduate and go on to professional school or graduate school, you will see how a lot of those things are applicable to your life. So, it may suck to do a lot of these things now but you will be glad that you did them.

What year did you graduate?

2007

What was your major?

Biology/Pre-Med

Where are you from?

Suffolk, Virginia

What are you currently doing?

Fourth year medical student at the Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine

How would you describe DNIMAS to someone who doesn’t know about the program?

DNIMAS is a scholarship program for minority students in the basic sciences, math, computer science, and engineering. Also, it encourages its students to pursue graduate and professional school.

How did DNIMAS help you get to where you are?

Besides slightly less loans to pay back, DNIMAS allowed me to go to a school where I was challenged and motivated to not just pass, but excel. In DNIMAS, we’re surrounded by like-minded people, and we push each other to reach our goals. We all want to see each other succeed. I met some of my best friends in the DNIMAS program, and we’re all chasing and close to catching our dreams (med school, dental school, research).

Do you still keep in contact with people from DNIMAS?

Yes!!!

What was your favorite DNIMAS memory?

Hanging out in The Square in front of Lee Smith. All the other times we hung out together (room parties, sweatboxes, frat parties, 2am Taco Bell runs, etc, etc, etc).

What did you least like about DNIMAS?

New changes every semester. The changes themselves were probably for the better, but some forewarning and/or consistency would have been nice.

What do you think would be different about your life if you weren’t in DNIMAS?

I’m not sure that I would be as strong a person, academically or emotionally, if I had not gone through the DNIMAS program. Without the academic requirements of the program, I don’t think that I would have been as motivated to make the most of my college opportunity.

How did DNIMAS help you other than academically/professionally?

Besides the best roommate ever? I adopted the attitude that we’re all in this together. We were all very supportive of each other, as opposed to being really competitive. I’m still this way, and prefer that we all make it to the finish line.

What activities did you participate in when you weren’t studying?

Spartan Calvary, Biology/Chemistry tutor, Spring Fashion Show my freshman year, I was Miss Blue and White (Phi Beta Sigma) my senior year.

What advice could you pass on to current DNIMAS scholars?

Enjoy the college years. Study and keep the GPA up, but also get out and have fun. Those four years will encompass the most freedom you’ll ever have. I consider my years at NSU as “the good ol’ days” when I was young and carefree.

Hello Everyone,

Welcome to the DNIMAS Alumni blog.  I decided to create this blog to promote the DNIMAS program and it’s students of past, present, and future.  The blog will be used as a platform to profile scholars of the program and their achievements.  It will be used to promote activites of the program and promote it to outside individuals who may be interested in attending NSU and joining the program.

The DNIMAS program promotes family.  Like family you are a part of DNIMAS forever.  I hope this blog can be be the beginning of keeping the program around forever.

Douglas Jones.