Spelman Students Selected for Prestigious 2025 ASPIRE Program at the University of Michigan

Spelman Students Selected for Prestigious 2025 ASPIRE Program at the University of Michigan

Spelman celebrates four students — Ke’Zhiah Chapman, C’2026, Chloe Fite, Angelica Pierce C’2026, and Brooklynn Vesey — for being selected for the 2025 Applied Social Policy Internship and Research Experience (ASPIRE) with the Youth Policy Lab at the University of Michigan’s Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy.

Not only does the ASPIRE Program immerse students in intensive academic and professional training, but it also provides opportunities for networking, mentorship and community engagement. The ASPIRE Program (now in its third year) continues to expose Spelman students to a dynamic environment within policy research and education, as well as allowing them to build lasting professional connections.

For eight weeks this summer, students enhanced their quantitative and qualitative research skills, gained exposure to careers in public policy research, as well as contributed to initiatives in areas such as early childhood education, workforce development, adolescent mental health, maternal and infant health and career technical education. In July 2025, these Spelman scholars presented their findings at a public seminar.

Participants in the ASPIRE Program built impactful relationships with University of Michigan graduate students who were also Spelman and Morehouse alumni. These connections created an environment where participants could gain real-world perspectives on careers and processes within the field of policy.

“In our policy workshop, it was really interesting to get feedback on how to present a proper policy proposal,” shared Chapman, an economics major with a minor in political science. She noted that one of the most impactful parts of the experience was how ASPIRE cultivated meaningful speaker connections that aligned with her career interests.

For Pierce, a sociology major with a minor in public health, one unforgettable aspect of the program was the opportunity to be involved in outreach with real-world impact.

“I was partnered with a project that looked at maternal health outcomes within the state of Michigan. It showed me that whatever I envision myself doing really does exist,” said Pierce.

Spelman is proud that these students had the opportunity to establish professional connections and truly envision their futures. The ASPIRE Program is a powerful example of the many unique opportunities our scholars embrace on their path to becoming future leaders and change-makers.