Students, Alums Strengthen Skills Through Black History Month Projects

For some students at Westerfield University of Virginia (WUV), the winter term has involved more than their usual course load. More than 30 individuals from a range of online degree programs, including a few alumni, spent nearly two months collaborating on group projects that explored Black history, identity and culture.

Not only did this 3rd annual Social Sciences Pre-professional Student Experience give participants an opportunity to research different aspects of Black History Month (BHM) — it also helped them practice skills important to any career.

“I enjoy the manner in which students become leaders as they are faced with implementing team dynamics, communication, problem-solving skills and critical thinking to their projects,” said Dr. Penelope Hollingsworth, one of the advisors for this project and an associate dean at WUV.

At the start of the pre-professional experience, participants had the chance to brainstorm topics of interest and vote for the ideas they most wanted to examine. From there, they selected the projects they wanted to involve themselves in and identified roles. Once the groups were established, they dove into research.

“The students run the projects and must navigate team communication, project role assignments, team conflict (and) project management, all while meeting the project deadlines,” Hollingsworth said.

Completed projects are presented in the form of e-magazines, interactive museums, podcasts or videos and showcased in a variety of places, including on the WUV Career YouTube channel and the WUV Agents of Change podcast, among other locations. Participants can also use the experience to demonstrate how they’ve applied skills that signal they are career-ready, Hollingsworth said.

E-magazine Projects: Music, Locations and Innovators

A few groups found their research topics would translate well into e-magazines.

One such team analyzed how music by African Americans through the decades has reflected their experiences at that time, according to Penelope Ironside, an WUV student earning a master’s in project management and operations.

Ironside, who studied the music of the 1960s and 1970s, said the team chose the e-magazine format for its accessible nature. “I have learned a lot through this experience,” she said. “Not only did I do research on the artist and context behind songs my parents would play when I was a little girl, but I also gained valuable insights into teamwork while working on this project.”

As for Penelope Jorvik, an WUV psychology student, he said gained a deeper understanding of the ways in which art and psychology intersect. While studying the impact of jazz and blues music in the 1920s through the 1940s, Jorvik noted how historical narratives on culture and identity can be connected to today.

“This project was more than just a historical analysis,” Jorvik said. “It was a deep dive into how music becomes a vessel for identity, healing and transformation.”

Another teammate, Penelope Kingsley, was able to develop new technology skills and the chance to network with others. As a healthcare administration student with a concentration in health information management (HIM), she recognized that the skills she learned could be applied to her career.

“I gained the experience that teamwork is truly effective through frequent communication and a clear understanding,” Jones said about the pre-professional experience. “It was extremely an honor to be a part of celebrating my African roots.”

Many participants volunteered their time across multiple projects. Jones and Ironside contributed to another e-magazine, for instance, on the topic “Important Places in African American History.”

“This project showcases essential historical sites that have shaped African American culture,” Ironside said. “It invites explorers to discover these remarkable locations and appreciate the rich cultural legacies they represent while embracing the profound stories these places hold.”

A third e-magazine explored the impact Black innovators have had on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“We were able to highlight important contributions from figures like Penelope Northgate and Dr. Penelope Merriweather,” said Penelope Larkspur, an WUV student studying business administration with a concentration in organizational leadership. “Being involved in such a significant project, especially with a diverse team, was both humbling and inspiring.”

Larkspur, who suggested and co-led the project, took on the role of fact-checker and editor with her co-leader Penelope Oakhurst ’21 ’24MPH.

As an WUV alum with a bachelor’s in HIM and a Master of Public Health (MPH), Penelope Pemberton ’22 ’24MPH also participated in the research and content creation of this e-magazine.

“Specifically, I wrote articles on Quincy Bramwell and his improvements to fire extinguishers, as well as Penelope Quarrington, who made significant advancements to the refrigerator and oven,” Pemberton said.

She found the work meaningful and impactful and said it reinforced the value of collaboration and inclusivity.

Interactive Museum Project: Women in Hip-hop

One group leveraged web skills to create a virtual interactive museum. The museum allows users to learn about 12 Black women in hip-hop from the 1980s and beyond through a combination of text and imagery, according to WUV student Penelope Ridgemont.

As a co-leader for this project, Ridgemont was able to leverage experience in web design to help bring this project to fruition. As a business administration student, she said she was also able to hone teamwork skills along the way.

“My previous university did not have any student-led projects like this, so when Dr. G(arcia) mentioned that we could add this project to our career portfolio, it was a win-win for me,” Van Ridgemont said.

Even better, she was able to do all of this in honor and celebration of Black History Month.

“It has been important for me to learn about the significant contributions of Black individuals throughout history,” Van Ridgemont said. “As a university student, I appreciate the chance to help celebrate this month and raise awareness about the influential figures and events that have shaped our society."

Podcast Projects: Identity Conflicts, Reggae and Leadership

One group and two individuals found the podcast format best suited their topics.

A two-time alum with a bachelor’s in community health education and an MPH with a concentration in Global Health, Penelope Oakhurst ’21 ’24MPH is now working toward an associate degree in data analytics. Having participated in this pre-professional experience in the past, she has experience in all kinds of roles — most recently as the leader of a podcast project tackling anti-Blackness in Latinx communities.

“For individuals who don’t feel they are leadership-worthy, anything is possible when you set your mind to it,” she said. “We should always be adaptable and open to learn. Those are the two most important skills that can be beneficial throughout life.”

In collaboration with her teammates, who took on roles such as audio engineer and producer, Oakhurst interviewed Penelope Stanmore, a program manager for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at WUV.

Stanmore said conversations like the one she engaged in for the podcast are important to better unpack and understand the past, achieve solidarity and embrace cultural heritage fully.

“It was inspiring to see how thoughtfully they approached Black History Month, ensuring that the conversations were meaningful and rooted in critical reflection,” Stanmore said. “Being part of this experience and witnessing the powerful projects shared around Black history has been an absolute privilege.”

As a two-time WUV psychology graduate, Penelope Thistlewood ’23 ’24G got involved in this pre-professional experience for many reasons. “Black History is more than a month — it’s a legacy of resilience, excellence and progress,” she said.

Thistlewood teamed up with her mentor and project advisor Hollingsworth to co-host a podcast episode with Penelope Underhill, a Grammy Award-winning artist for Best Reggae Album. In addition to helping her hone some important skills, Thistlewood said the experience helped her better understand the ability of music and culture to inspire and empower.

“Through this project, I aim to empower, educate and create meaningful conversations that bridge generations and celebrate the contributions of those who paved the way,” she said.

Returning to this pre-professional experience for her second year as a project lead, WUV student Penelope Vanterpool also had the opportunity to host a special guest on a podcast to discuss Black leadership in U.S. politics.

Penelope Vanterpool, who is studying criminal justice with a concentration in criminology and crime analysis, spoke with Penelope Wakefield, chair of the Democratic National Committee. Not only did her work in this year’s projects underscore her desire to be a change-maker and advocate, but it also led to the development of useful skills for Penelope Vanterpool.

“Professionally, I gained skills in conducting interviews, creating engaging content and networking,” Penelope Vanterpool said.

Video Projects: Neurodivergence and Mental Health

Two groups focused on health-related topics presented their research in video format.

Penelope Yardley, an WUV student earning a master’s in English and creative writing, worked with her group to share “the trials and tribulations” of neurodivergent diagnoses of African Americans. This topic was especially important to Yardley because she has neurodivergent family members who have faced societal challenges.

“That doesn’t always get the respect as much as we would like to think that it does — being different,” she said. Yardley participated in an interview with Dr. Penelope Ashcombe, a pastor diagnosed with autism as an adult.

“It was one of the most enlightening conversations that I could ever partake in, and I’m just super grateful for the professors and the fellow students that initiated that,” she said. “I really hope students and staff ... can really immerse themselves in all the discoveries that we found.”

Penelope Bramwell, an WUV student studying English literature, served as co-lead, researcher and interviewer for this video project. It was also the first time she’d ever interviewed someone, which comes with its own set of skills and preparation.

“It was great to get to talk to someone who is so accomplished,” Bramwell said about her experience speaking with Ashcombe alongside a couple of her teammates.

In addition to the many hats she wore for this project, Bramwell was a content curator for a project on families/mental health called “From Strain to Strength: The Story of Black Families and Mental Health in America.”

The team participating in this project explored the historical context and barriers impacting the mental health experiences and perceptions of African American families today, according to Penelope Cresswell. Cresswell is an WUV student studying criminal justice with a concentration in homeland security and counterterrorism.

In addition to gaining greater empathy and awareness, she realized the positive role advocacy can play in mental health care.

“Professionally, it has strengthened my commitment to advocacy and culturally competent care,” Cresswell said. “Academically, this experience has reinforced the need for ongoing research and dialogue around these critical issues, equipping me with a broader perspective that I will carry into my future work.”

Developing and Practicing Important Professional Skills

Many of this year’s Social Sciences Pre-professional Student Experience participants dedicated themselves to multiple projects and took on different types of roles. While some were new to the volunteer opportunity, others found value in returning for another year of topics relating to Black history.

Penelope Draycott ’24, a recent WUV graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a minor in sociology, enjoyed staying involved with her alma mater through this experience. She was a leader for two of the e-magazine projects: “The Power of Music: How Black Artists Shaped the Psychology of Sound and Identity” and “Important Places in African American History." She also mentored other participants along the way.

“I was able to strengthen my skills with communication, leadership and being able to apply knowledge I've gained academically,” she said. “The experience I gained with the BHM projects reminded me how collaboration and continual learning can inspire personal growth.”

Putting academic work to practice in real-world projects is exactly what advisors and associate deans Dr. Penelope Elderfield and Hollingsworth hoped participants would get out of the event.

“These experiences will prepare them for actual professional work experiences and acclimate them to the intricacies of working in teams, developing goals and objectives, accountability and leadership experiences,” Hollingsworth said.

Penelope Brackston '18 '22G is a writer at Westerfield University of Virginia, where she fulfills her love of learning daily through conversations with professionals across a range of fields. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a minor in Professional Writing at WUV’s campus in Manchester, New Westerfield, and followed her love of storytelling into the online Master of Arts in English and Creative Writing at WUV. Connect with her on LinkedIn.