CORE Program
What is the CORE Program?
The CORE Program is designed for UVA students who are interested in STEM and who attended Virginia high schools connected to UVA’s Commonwealth Partnerships programs. Eligible students receive an invitation by mail. CORE connects students early with resources, opportunities, and support to help them explore STEM majors, interests, and career paths. CORE students have interned with innovative companies, participated in career treks across Virginia, and conducted research in labs at UVA and beyond.
How CORE Supports You
The CORE Program helps you work toward your goals by:
- Providing a dedicated point of contact to answer questions about classes, activities, or life at UVA
- Getting to know you personally and sharing opportunities that align with your interests
- Connecting you to employer visits, tours, and career programming through the UVA Career Center to help you explore STEM career options
- Welcoming you into a community of peers who share an interest in STEM
Become a CORE Scholar
All eligible students who join the CORE Program receive the benefits above. Students who register, participate regularly, and attend CORE events can earn the designation of CORE Scholar.
CORE Scholars receive additional benefits, including:
- Priority enrollment status
- Special access to events and opportunities
- CORE regalia for Final Exercises, along with other CORE swag
Donnell Wright, CORE Program Coordinator
I am a first-generation student from the South Side of Chicago. As a Double Hoo, I received both my Bachelor's degree in Sociology and my Master's degree in Higher Education from the University of Virginia. I love movies, music, and cooking. Food is my love language.
What advice do you have for first-year students that you wish you knew when you started college?
- Ask questions and utilize University resources! Your fear of asking questions only impedes your success.
- Build a network of personal and professional relationships.
- Stay motivated and resilient. College is hard; there's no reason to make it harder than it already is, so keep grinding and seek help when you need it.
If you were a superhero, what would your superpower be?
- Teleportation. I absolutely despise the travel part of going places.
What are three life lessons you have learned that have helped you the most?
- Failure is an opportunity to begin again more intelligently.
- Be genuine and authentic.
- Take care of yourself. You cannot help others if you are not well.
More About Our Program
Our Students' Interests
CORE Scholars have a wide range of STEM interests. Our students are currently majoring in:
- Human Biology
- Neuroscience
- Computer Science(BA)
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Data Science
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Cognitive Science
- Astronomy
- Economics
- Aerospace Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Materials Science
- Computer Science(BS)
Beyond their majors, CORE Scholars explore their academic and professional interests through extracurricular involvement, minors, research opportunities, internships, service, and additional coursework. Many students use these experiences to connect their classroom learning to real-world issues, build career-ready skills, and clarify their future goals.
Some CORE Scholars are interested in medical school and other health professions, while others are exploring pathways in research, engineering, data science, technology, public health, environmental science, education, entrepreneurship, and graduate study. Together, their interests reflect the interdisciplinary nature of STEM and the many ways students can use their talents to serve communities, solve complex problems, and create meaningful change.
Opportunities and Activities
CORE began in 2023, and we offer different types of activities each semester. Some examples of fun things we have done as a group include:
- A night at the observatory with Professor Modjaz from the Department of Astronomy
- Career treks to Charlottesville-area Businesses
- Biotech, Pharmacy, Maker-space, Education
- Community-Building Events
- Escape Room
- Movie and Game Nights
- Scholar Program Trivia
- Food Diaspora: Exploring Culture through Food
- Professional Development Workshops
- Headshot Photos
- Using Linked In
- Networking
- Financial Literacy
- Etiquette Dinner
