It’s not just University of Richmond that is getting in on the hip-hop game. The Virginia Union University (VUU) Center for Undergraduate Research (CUR) recently announced a new fellowship to explore hip-hop music.
Ricky Parker, a social entrepreneur and 2008 alum of the school, will be CUR’s first fellow beginning Spring of 2018.
According to a press release, Parker “will work collaboratively with a research team of VUU students to create a hip-hop music lecture series, develop and implement a campus survey to assess the music’s place at VUU, and launch a university podcast to promote and increase partnerships with the CUR. He will culminate the fellowship by working with VUU students to produce a documentary to highlight discoveries and his fellowship experience.”
“I am most excited about [rapper] No Malice coming to Virginia Union University on March 19 as a guest lecturer,” Parker tells Style.
Dr. Carleitta Paige-Anderson, CUR director and Interim Dean of University College, also noted in the release: “Our students will have the opportunity to hone critical and analytical thinking skills, as well as obtain experience in video and audio-engineering production.”
Last spring, as part of the CUR’s PantherQuest Initiative, Mr. Parker served as a research mentor to four VUU undergraduate students for a project entitled “Is There a Place For Hip Hop on a College Campus?” according to the release.
For more information, contact Dr. Paige-Anderson at clpaige@vuu.edu.
More about the participants from the release:
Ricky Parker is the Creative Director of Dream For Purpose (creative house), Host of The DUI Rule (business podcast), Managing Partner of DFP Vibes (artist management company), and Brand Manager of DexRob NYC (brand management agency for professional athletes). He is also an adjunct marketing Professor at VUU and is actively involved in the rebranding efforts for the Sydney Lewis School of Business.
The CUR Fellowship Program is a leadership and training experience for recent college graduates, current graduate students and/or disciplinary professionals who seek to engage and mentor undergraduate students in unique research and creative inquiry.
