PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas (December 19, 2022) —John Auguste, a 2022 graduate of the Whitlowe R. Green College of Education at Prairie View A&M University (PVAMU), is part of a distinguished group of teachers and health professionals from The Hill dedicated to advancing the education and well-being of culturally diverse populations.
Faculty RISE Graduate student, John Auguste
While pursuing his master’s degree in Education (with a concentration in Physical Education), John participated in the PVAMU Faculty Research & Innovation for Scholarly Excellence (RISE)-Graduate Research program. Developed by the university’s Division of Research & Innovation, the program enables faculty researchers to expand and sustain their vital research through external grants and contracts while helping to shape graduate students into the next generation of experts.
Under the mentorship of Assistant Professor of Elementary Education Dr. Beverly King Miller, John explored the topic of “Black Middle School Students Through Racial Identity and Academic Success.” And though he may have been pursuing his graduate degree while conducting this research, he was surprised to learn just how much his undergraduate degree from PVAMU would impact his work in the RISE program. “The basis of my research continues to stem from my psychology background,” he said. “I noticed how I fused the psychological concept of racial identity into the field of education and gained the motivation to follow my passion for helping people.”
Like John, Dr. Miller’s academic background is rooted in psychology. “I think this degree is a great basis for educators because it underpins what we do with students in the classroom and impacts our philosophical lens,” Dr. Miller explains.
Faculty RISE Graduate student, John Auguste, corded by Vice President Magesh Rajan and Faculty Mentor, Dr. Beverly Miller
Armed with the analytical and critical thinking skills he acquired as an undergraduate, and which he developed throughout his experience as a graduate student and member of the RISE program, John is prepared to advance his work fostering youth academic success. “My post-graduate plans are to continue to teach 7th-grade ELAR and build relationships with others to begin my nonprofit organization, catering to the needs of minority students through natural mentorship and coaching,” John said.
Working under the mentorship of Dr. Miller while helping to advance her research initiatives has been the highlight of John’s experience in the RISE program. Their close collaboration reinforced “just how much I liked researching topics and enjoyed the process,” John explained. “I received and appreciated all of the information she gave me.”
Dr. Miller echoed John’s sentiments when reflecting on their partnership. “It has been a pleasure working with Mr. Auguste because he is detailed oriented,” she said. Part of John’s assistance included developing annotated bibliographies for the various topics of their focus as well as helping with the literature for an Institutional Review Board (IRB) submission – an essential task when conducting research activities centered on human subjects. John also had the opportunity to delve into some of the societal challenges minority groups still face, such as “Racial Battle Fatigue and how the pandemic has impacted the educational system with virtual learning,” he said.
John’s impressive work and contributions to the RISE program were recognized during the Division of Research & Innovation’s fall cording ceremony on Dec. 8, 2022. He was among six student researchers and graduates celebrated for their commitment to the research process and for their support in driving scholarly research awareness at PVAMU.
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Leigh Badrigian