When Brianna Dotson walks across the commencement stage, she will graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham with a multidisciplinary academic focus, earning a major in Psychology and minors in African American Studies and Public Health.
During her time at UAB, Dotson has been deeply engaged on campus through her involvement with the McNair Scholars Program, UAB Trailblazers, and the university’s Honors Program. She is also a recent recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Dean’s Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Students.
Here, she reflects with CAS on her college experience.
CAS: What brought you to UAB, and what made it feel like home for you?
BD: The opportunity to prepare for graduate school was a major factor in my decision. I wanted to be intentional about choosing a college where I could actively engage in research, and UAB offered that opportunity. What truly made it feel like home, though, was the willingness of both faculty and students—undergraduate and graduate alike—to support my journey. I still remember meeting my academic advisor during orientation and telling her about my goals and my desire to get involved. She followed up with an email that included a list of UAB resources, such as the Psychology Honors Program and information about preparing for graduate school. I used that guidance as a template to plan my time at UAB, and it set the foundation for everything I’ve accomplished here.
CAS: You’re studying Psychology, African American Studies, and Public Health. What inspired you to choose these three programs?
BD: As a Psychology major, I had the opportunity to explore a wide range of courses at UAB, which helped shape my academic path. One course that really stood out to me was Black Psychology, offered through African American Studies. It immediately connected to my research interests and pushed me to think more deeply about the questions I wanted to explore. As my research questions evolved, I realized I wanted a stronger understanding of the cultural contexts influencing psychological development.
Later, I took a course called Public Health and Medical Issues in African Communities, which introduced me to the field of public health. That class helped me see how closely interconnected health, psychology, and culture really are—and how those factors influence development across the lifespan.
Ultimately, psychology serves as the foundation of my research, while African American Studies allows me to better understand culture beyond my own lived experiences, which is essential to the work I want to do. Public health ties it all together, especially when thinking about developmental outcomes at a broader level. Together, these three areas have really shaped my research identity.
CAS: So far, you’ve touched briefly on your research. Tell us a little bit more about it.
BD: My research really connects to both my academic and personal journeys. I’m interested in exploring how our communities—whether that’s our homes, schools, or neighborhoods—can support development across the lifespan. That includes outcomes related to health, well-being, and related behaviors. I approach this work from a strengths-based perspective, focusing on how social resources within communities can be used to empower individuals and promote positive development. That has been my own experience, and through my research, I’ve seen that it’s true for many others as well. Moving forward, I hope to continue studying these questions and contributing research that highlights the power of community-based support.
CAS: How has the African American Studies program shaped your academic journey and influenced the direction of your research and career goals?
BD: The Public Health and Medical Issues in African Communities course had a significant impact on me. At the end of the class, we designed a public health intervention focused specifically on African American communities, and that project really connected with the kind of work I hope to do in the future. It helped me start thinking more critically about how research can be applied beyond poster presentations and theory, and how it can be used in more practical ways to benefit people. That experience truly shifted my perspective.
The African American Studies program has also been incredibly supportive overall. The program regularly shares internship opportunities for majors and minors, which has been very helpful, and the courses offer flexible online and in-person options. It also has many opportunities for students to get involved both inside and outside of the classroom.
CAS: Your next stop is University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for graduate school. Tell us about your plans while you’re there and what you hope to do afterward.
BD: I’ll be starting a Ph.D. program this fall, and I’m really looking forward to becoming more deeply involved in research and, ultimately, to becoming a scientist. UAB has played a huge role in preparing me for this next step, especially through strong mentoring and opportunities like presenting research posters. After completing my doctorate, I hope to pursue a career as a professor.
CAS: Imagine you have the opportunity to speak with incoming freshmen at orientation. What would you say to them?
BD: I would tell them that the resources at UAB are truly endless—and many of the most valuable ones are the people you’ll meet along the way. The faculty and fellow students you connect with can become some of your greatest sources of support, guidance, and inspiration. It’s important to listen to their advice, learn from their experiences, and not be afraid to lean into those relationships as you grow during your time here.
CAS: Any last words before you walk across the commencement stage?
BD: Overall, I’m just incredibly grateful for my experiences at UAB. During my graduate school interviews, the interviewers recognized both the university and the professors who wrote my letters of recommendation, which really spoke to the strength of the mentorship I received here. The opportunities I’ve had to be involved in publications, research posters, and national conferences are things that, when I was in high school, I never would have imagined for myself. I’m thankful for the journey.
