The UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute (FPG) is proud to welcome its sixth cohort of McKinney Scholars. The Marvin H. McKinney Scholars Program in Research, Practice, and Policy gives undergraduate students from North Carolina’s historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) the chance to gain hands-on experience in child development research and explore how that work can make a difference for children and families.

Named in honor of Marvin H. McKinney, PhD—a former FPG postdoctoral fellow, longtime educator and collaborator, and emeritus member of FPG’s External Advisory Board—the program reflects a lasting commitment to mentorship, learning, and impact.

This year’s nine-week paid summer internship offers students meaningful, project-based experience that supports both their academic interests and long-term career goals. Along the way, scholars will gain a deeper understanding of how research, practice, and policy work together to improve outcomes for young children and families—and how they can contribute to that work in the future.

“We are so excited to welcome this year’s cohort of McKinney Scholars to FPG,” said Sherra Lawrence, MA, lead of the scholars program. “We hope to provide a meaningful and enriching experience for them and are delighted to play a role in their promising journeys.”

Meet the 2026 cohort

Mariah Hackett

Mariah Hackett, a junior at North Carolina Central University majoring in psychology, hopes to pursue a career supporting children and families and has an interest in issues related to child development, educational equity, and supporting underserved communities.

She is excited to be part of the McKinney Scholars Program and is looking forward to gaining hands-on experience in research, policy, implementation science, and technical assistance, all of which align closely with her desire to not only work directly with children but also understand the broader systems that impact their development. Hackett was drawn to the fields of child development and education at an early age. “Growing up, I spent a great deal of time in my godmother’s daycare, where I was constantly surrounded by children in their early developmental stages. Being in that environment allowed me to see how foundational early experiences are in shaping a child’s confidence, behavior, and emotional well being,” said Hackett. And now, as a college student studying psychology and development, Hackett has realized that she wants to support children’s mental and emotional growth in transformative ways, helping children and families reframe their perspectives, navigate challenges, and see their lives through a more empowered and hopeful lens. And she believes the McKinney Scholars Program will support her career goals.

“I am particularly interested in learning how research findings translate into policy decisions and practical interventions within schools and communities. Understanding this bridge between research and real-world application is essential to my long-term goal of becoming a family and children’s therapist,” said Hacket.

Amanda Lee

Amanda Lee is a junior at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University majoring in psychology and minoring in child development and family studies.

Lee’s long-term goal is to work with children and adolescents in the mental health field, so she is glad to be gaining research experience specifically focused on child and family outcomes through the McKinney Scholars Program this summer. She said that while researching the internship opportunity, she was particularly drawn to the mentorship structure and project-based work and is confident this program will support her academic growth and professional goals.

Lee says she is studying psychology because she has always cared deeply about mental health and her decision to minor in child development and family studies is because she wants to understand the family systems, early relationships, and environments that shape children from the beginning. “My goal is to become a child and adolescent therapist or mental health counselor,” said Lee. “I am especially interested in working in or alongside schools, where so much of a child’s emotional world unfolds.”

At FPG, Lee hopes to gain firsthand experience in how research connects to real world impact. “Learning how projects are designed, executed, and translated into practice will strengthen my critical thinking and help me see the bigger picture beyond individual care,” said Lee. As someone who hopes to become a child and adolescent therapist, Lee believes that understanding research and policy will allow her to advocate more effectively, contribute to systemic change, and ground her future practice in strong evidence.

Karima Mitchell-Hill

Karima Mitchell-Hill, a junior at North Carolina Central University majoring in psychology, hopes to pursue a master’s degree in social work and become a clinical psychologist working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and systemic inequities. She learned about the McKinney Scholars Program from a former McKinney Scholar, Kamora Coleman. “[Kamora] spoke highly of the program and described how meaningful and impactful it was for her growth as a social work major,” says Mitchell-Hill. “Hearing about her experience helped me recognize how closely the program aligns with my own academic and career goals.” 

Mitchell-Hill is committed to pursuing work that promotes advocacy, culturally responsive care, and long-term change for youth and families. She sees the McKinney Scholars Program as an opportunity to gain hands-on experience, build professional skills, and deepen her understanding of working with diverse populations and communities. “Participating in this program will help bridge my undergraduate studies in psychology with my future goals in social work,” says Mitchell-Hill, “while preparing me to make a meaningful impact in the field.”

Through mentorship, collaborative research, and hands-on training, she intends to cultivate the analytical, ethical, and professional skills she sees as essential for graduate study and clinical practice.

Anastasia Sellars-Thompson

Anastasia Sellars-Thompson is a senior majoring in social work at Fayetteville State University. Sellars-Thompson, who is a Ronald E. McNair Scholar, learned about the McKinney Scholars Program from her McNair advisor. After learning about the program’s focus on preparing students for graduate study and careers in research, particularly in fields related to child development and education, she knew she had to apply. “As someone already engaged in McNair programming, I was excited to discover another initiative that offers mentorship, research experience, and a supportive cohort of scholars,” said Sellars-Thompson. It was clear to her that the McKinney Scholars Program could complement the skills and experiences she had been building as a McNair scholar, especially in further developing her research interests and connecting with faculty mentors.

Sellars-Thompson intends to earn a Master of Social Work (MSW) and become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), with the long-term objective of establishing a private practice that serves children, adolescents, and families. Additionally, she plans to pursue a doctoral degree so that, as a professor, she can educate and inspire future social workers.
Sellars-Thompson says she is motivated to understand how early environments, relationships, and interventions shape developmental outcomes and she believes that, as a McKinney Scholar engaging in child development research will allow her to examine the evidence-based practices that promote resilience, social-emotional growth, and healthy development in vulnerable populations.

“I expect my experience at FPG to strengthen my preparation for graduate study in social work and developmental science by providing hands-on research training, mentorship, and exposure to interdisciplinary perspectives on child and family wellbeing,” said Sellars-Thompson. “Furthermore, developing skills in research design, data collection, and analysis will enhance my ability to implement effective, evidence-informed interventions in my future clinical practice.” She also sees this experience at FPG as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of prevention and early intervention approaches, which will be essential as she works toward her long-term goals of serving foster youth, creating transitional housing supports, and contributing to research-informed policy and practice.

Related FPG news articles and information

Amaya Jeffers talks about her experience in the McKinney Scholars Program
Aerryan Bentley talks about her experience in the McKinney Scholars Program
Kyleigh Creighton talks about her experience in the McKinney Scholars Program
Kamora Coleman talks about her experience in the McKinney Scholars Program
2024 McKinney Scholars reflect on eight-week program
2022 McKinney Scholars reflect on 10-week program
The Marvin H. McKinney Scholars Program