McNair scholar is ‘leaving with purpose’

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.

Lemma is graduating with a double major in human development and family science in the UNC School of Education and psychology in the UNC College of Arts and Sciences. After graduation, Lemma will go to the University of Wisconsin–Madison to pursue a doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis with a K–12 concentration.

He feels prepared for this next step, thanks to his experiences in the education school’s HDFS program as well as the national Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. The McNair program prepares undergraduate students for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.

“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.”

“Yakob’s commitment and discipline are unmatched,” said Meika Samuel, the Carolina McNair program’s assistant director. “He embodies the ideals of the McNair scholars program and helps to fulfill Dr. Ronald E. McNair’s legacy every day.”

Through classroom, research and intern 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.”

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.

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. He was also honored with the 2024 Harvey E. Beech Outstanding Senior Award.

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.

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.”