Yakob Lemma’s undergraduate journey at Carolina is an example of how University-wide collaboration, supportive mentorship, and a commitment to access can help shape the next generation of education leaders.
As a graduating senior with a double major in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS) and psychology, Lemma has spent his time at Carolina not only deepening his academic knowledge but also building a future rooted in advocacy and transformation in education.
After graduation, Lemma will begin the next chapter of his academic journey at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he will pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis with a K–12 concentration — a step he says he feels well-prepared for, thanks in large part to his experiences in the UNC School of Education’s HDFS program and the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program.
“My HDFS coursework gave me the theoretical foundation to understand development through a social-ecological lens, while McNair gave me the structure and support to apply those theories through hands-on research,” Lemma said. “Courses in the HDFS program helped me see the real-life impact of societal disparities on youth and families — knowledge I then carried into my McNair research and my honors thesis.”
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, a nation-wide program also known as the McNair Scholars Program, created in 1989, is designed to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.
“Yakob’s commitment and discipline are unmatched,” said Meika Samuel, Carolina’s McNair Scholars Program assistant director. “He embodies the ideals of the McNair Scholars Program and helps to fulfill Dr. Ronald E. McNair’s legacy every day.”
As part of the HDFS program, Lemma conducted research under the guidance of faculty member Joseph Williams, Ph.D., focusing on the college-going identity of middle school students of color.
Lemma also completed an HDFS internship with the Education Justice Alliance, a North Carolina-based nonprofit dedicated to ending the school-to-prison pipeline and building a sustainable, youth-led coalition. His internship project, “Building a Youth-Led Education Justice Coalition in North Carolina,” explored how structured coalitions can empower youth to lead educational reform. His work examined best practices for coalition design, youth leadership development, and strategies for sustaining long-term youth organizing.
Through these experiences, Lemma said he came to understand that research is not just about data — it’s about telling stories that matter.
“I was able to work on a project that felt personal and impactful,” Lemma said. “The chance to bring theory to life, especially through storytelling and community engagement, has been one of the most rewarding parts of my academic experience.”
“Yakob shows how cross-campus collaboration can amplify student voices and elevate their learning outside of the classroom,” said Helyne Frederick, Ph.D., director of the HDFS program. “HDFS faculty members are intentional about connecting students with academic, community, and social programs that fit their interests or provide additional resources for their professional development.”
Mentorship and Impact
Lemma’s development as a scholar was shaped not only by his academic interests but also by the mentors and communities who supported him along the way.
“Before the McNair Scholars Program, graduate school felt abstract — something I was interested in but didn’t fully understand,” Lemma said. “McNair gave me access and intentional support. Through summer research intensives, graduate school boot camps, and weekly check-ins with my mentor, I began to see academia not just as a possibility, but as a space I could thrive in.”
Through the McNair Program, Lemma completed summer research internships at both Carolina and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He participated in graduate school preparation events across the country and presented his research at state and national conferences, including the Black Doctoral Network and the American Educational Research Association (AERA).
“My proudest achievement was being accepted to present at AERA as an Undergraduate Research Fellow,” Lemma said. “It wasn’t just about the presentation itself — it was about what it represented: years of growth, mentorship, and belief in the value of my research.”
“McNair gave me the structure, guidance, and professional development I needed to navigate the application process and prepare for the presentation,” Lemma said. “HDFS gave me the academic foundation to understand the systems I’m trying to transform. Together, these programs didn’t just prepare me — they propelled me.”
For his academic and community impact, Lemma received the NC TRiO Achiever Award in 2024, a statewide recognition honoring students who have excelled in federally funded TRiO programs, designed to support first‑generation college students and individuals from underserved backgrounds, aiming to help them achieve their educational goals from high school through post‑baccalaureate studies. He was also honored with the 2024 Harvey E. Beech Outstanding Senior Award, which celebrates Carolina students with a strong academic record, outstanding leadership, and meaningful contributions through community service and volunteer work.
Whether mentoring his peers or being an advocate for others in differentiating academic spaces, Lemma’s presence in both programs enabled him to find ways to use his voice to uplift people around him.
“The HDFS program strives to partner students with faculty and mentors who engage in scholarship and community-building related to their interests,” Frederick said. “The variety of research, internships, and advocacy projects that Yakob embarked on demonstrate a deep understanding of the varied contexts that shape young people’s lives and the importance of increasing opportunities for young people to access higher education. “
As he prepares for graduate school, Lemma said he views his work as inseparable from community impact. Both programs affirmed that he doesn’t just want to study systems — he wants to improve them.
“The growth I’ve experienced — personally, academically, and professionally — wouldn’t have been possible without the people in HDFS and McNair who believed in me,” Lemma said. “I came into undergrad with big questions and a lot of uncertainty. Now, I’m leaving with purpose.”
To learn more about the McNair Scholars program, visit mcnair.unc.edu.