PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (December 6, 2024) Jalen Thompson, a senior music major at Prairie View A&M University, with a passion for community impact, is gaining firsthand experience in educational research and advocacy through PVAMU’s Faculty Research and Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (RISE) Program. Under the mentorship of Beverly Miller, Ph.D., Thompson has embraced the opportunity to explore how research-driven projects can empower communities, both locally and abroad. 
Thompson is involved in several impactful projects. One of them, located in Ventaja Panamá, focuses on providing STEM and literacy education to English language learners in Panama by incorporating these subjects into the curriculum. Another initiative, TexSTEM: Producing PV STEM Teachers, provides PVAMU undergraduates with immersive field trips to prepare them for careers as STEM educators.
Reflecting on his time in the RISE Program, Thompson says the highlight has been traveling internationally, building connections with people from diverse backgrounds, and gaining practical experience in education. Outside of research, he has contributed to PVAMU’s Marching Storm as a trombonist and is an active member of Phi Beta Sigma Inc.
After graduation, Thompson plans to become a music teacher and explore graduate studies, combining his love for music with a commitment to education and community. His journey with RISE and Dr. Miller’s mentorship exemplifies PVAMU’s mission to prepare students to make a positive impact on a global scale.
The Faculty RISE Program, an initiative created by Prairie View A&M University’s Vice President of Research and Innovation, Magesh Rajan, Ph.D., P.E., invests in critical research and innovation domains. It fosters collaboration across disciplines among PVAMU faculty, students, and University partners.
By Crystal Mendes