Students in Panama 2024

Seminars

School-based research seminars are guided by an MLWGS faculty facilitator or a professional community facilitator and are structured around a broad organizing theme of mutual interest. Seminar students undertake a research project and write a paper on a topic of interest related to the seminar theme and that is approved by the seminar instructor. Each seminar group also works together as a class to create a professional presentation for Showcase.

Sample Seminars are:

  • American Dream in Film and Literature
  • Digital Video
  • History and Sabermetrics of Baseball
  • Laboratory Techniques for the 21st Century
  • Music Production and Recording
  • Photojournalism in the Digital Age
  • Revival and Revolution in Southern Africa

Mentorships

Students desiring a more individual study of a field of interest may pursue a mentorship off of the MLWGS campus, meeting each Friday with the MLWGS Mentorship Coordinator to discuss their progress. Students electing this approach must complete a minimum of 115 hours of field experience with all documentation and assessments required for a passing mark in the Mentorship Program, complete a minimum of 25 hours meeting with the Mentorship Coordinator on Fridays to ensure all activities and assessments are completed, and complete a research project consisting of the research process, a product, research paper and professional presentation at Showcase. 

In recent years, mentorships have taken place at:

  • VCU Health System Neurosurgery Department
  • University of Richmond Department of History
  • Richmond City Circuit Court
  • Federal Public Defender’s Office
  • Richmond Times-Dispatch
  • Science Museum of Virginia
  • Greater Richmond Convention Center
  • HKS Architecture
  • Price Studio
  • Media General
  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts

For additional program information, contact Mr. Les Cook, Coordinator of Mentorship and Seminar Programs.