Academic Studio | Musical Theatre Alum Ernest Houston Johnson Scholar at Stanford University
Musical Theater alum and NOCCA Academic Studio graduate Morgan-Me’Lyn Grant (’16) has been selected to participate in Stanford University’s Ernest Houston Johnson Scholars Program. This program honors Ernest Houston Johnson, the first Black graduate of Stanford University in the pioneer class of 1891. It captures his legacy of breaking the mold through the pursuit of higher education. Past scholars include astronaut Dr. Mae Jemison, noted attorney Charles Ogletree, Sen. Corey Booker and social media and entertainment sensation Issa Rae.
The program, formerly known as Partners for Academic Excellence, is a two-quarter program for freshmen focused on building a community of scholars. Students benefit from intimate interaction with world-class faculty; exposure to fellowships, internships and scholarships; and opportunities to network with prominent alumni.
All Johnson Scholars are assigned to a mentorship team consisting of a Ph.D. or professional school student, an upperclassman, and a member of the program’s Board of Directors. Participants are also connected with other freshmen that have similar academic interests. The goal of each mentorship team is to encourage intellectual exploration that will ensure academic success.
Morgan-Me’Lyn was featured in NOCCA’s 2015 -16 season productions of Flora The Red Menace and Crazy For You. She was also a founding director of the student-led production series. One of only three students from the Gulf South admitted to Stanford’s Class of 2020, Grant will be double majoring in International Relations and Theater and Performance with a concentration in Theater Making. The university was recently ranked one of the top five institutions in the nation.