UROC 2026 Dr. Josie R. Johnson Dissertation Fellowship Recipients

UROC is proud to award the Dr. Josie R. Johnson Dissertation Fellowship to three University of Minnesota graduate students whose dissertation research is in strong alignment of Dr. Johnson’s enduring legacy as a scholar and social justice leader. This year’s selection process was highly competitive, with 14 exceptional applications submitted by advanced graduate students representing 12 departments and colleges across the University. The selection committee consisted of UMN faculty, the Center for Community Engaged Learning, UROC leadership (Adriano Udani, Makeda Zulu, and Kara Schmidt), and a North Minneapolis community member. Each student will be awarded a stipend of $10,000 to support their dissertation work. The recipients will be introduced during UROC's Critical Conversation Event on Tuesday, February 24 from 5:00pm - 7:00pm as guests of honor.

Fellowship Recipients 

Isabella Irtifa, Department of Sociology, College of Liberal Arts
Jaime Zolik, Department of Anthropology, College of Liberal Arts 
Peng Nelson, Department of Curriculum & Instruction, College of Education and Human Development.