The Graduate School actively recruits students who are and have been traditionally underrepresented in graduate education, including but not limited to underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, women and people with disabilities. The Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion works in partnership with individual departments and programs at Brown and cultivates relationships with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions (MSIs).

Recruitment Initiatives

The Graduate School works closely with the Leadership Alliance to identify potential graduate program applicants among the pool of undergraduate students who are conducting research at Brown for eight weeks during the summer. Similarly, the Graduate School works in close partnership with students from Tougaloo College who spend time at Brown throughout the year while participating in various aspects of Brown-Tougaloo Partnership programming.

The Graduate School attends conferences annually to share information about our graduate programs and provide prospective students guidance on the application process.

Fall 2024 Recruitment Calendar

Mae Williamson Simmons Fellowships

The Graduate School offers fellowships to assist in the recruitment, enrollment and retention of students in doctoral programs who will contribute to the diversity of the graduate student body. Mae Williamson Simmons Fellowships provide a higher level of stipend support funding for three years and a one-time $1,000 research fund. The fellowships are named after Mae Belle Williamson Simmons, who earned her Ph.D. in psychology from Brown in 1962 — the earliest known Black woman to earn her doctoral degree from the University.

Applicants to doctoral programs can express their interest in being considered for the Mae Williamson Simmons Fellowship on the admissions application. As part of the holistic review process, graduate programs will identify candidates who demonstrate exceptional academic merit, scholarly potential and a commitment to contributing to the Brown community through their personal experiences, areas of scholarship and service.

Graduate programs must submit fellowship nominations by the end of January. The selection committee will review the nominations and candidate files, and awardees will be notified by the end of February.

The Graduate School sponsors events that highlight the experiences of students from underrepresented groups. These include dinners with guest speakers, academic and cultural celebrations and social networking activities. It also supports various student associations and clubs representing Brown’s diverse graduate student population. Additionally, the University provides individual and group support for students who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ).

• Office of Equity Compliance and Reporting
• Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity
• BioMed Office of Belonging, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Brown Center for Students of Color
• LGBTQ Center
• Office of International Students and Scholars
• Office of Military-Affiliated Students
• Student Accessibility Services
• Undocumented, First-Generation College and Low-Income Student Center