Joseph Carter, a rising junior at Texas Southern University, has been selected as a research fellow for the Du Bois Scholars Program at Harvard University. Now in its second year, the program is designed to recognize and support outstanding students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). It is housed within the Harvard College Summer Undergraduate Research Village (HSURV), which offers students the opportunity to conduct research, participate in professional development workshops, and present their work.

Carter is one of 35 students chosen to participate in the competitive program. He is conducting research under the mentorship of Dr. Gary Adamkiewicz at the Healthy Cities Lab on a project titled “Climate Justice in Boston.” His work focuses on the intersection of housing, neighborhoods, and community environments with public health in urban areas impacted by climate change. His responsibilities include fieldwork and data analysis as part of the nine-week, in-person residential experience.

A Political Science major and Thomas F. Freeman Scholar from Detroit, Michigan, Carter has held several leadership roles on campus. He recently completed his term as Mister Sophomore, during which he launched a monthly workshop series called “The Carter Experience,” focusing on mental wellness, scholarship, public speaking, and student empowerment. He also serves as a Campus Ambassador and Undergraduate Assistant, contributing to student programming and campus tours.

Beyond his university commitments, Carter founded a nonprofit organization, “Changed by Carter,” which has delivered over 200 free haircuts and care kits to underserved individuals in Houston. The initiative originated as a research project on homelessness and health equity and earned first place in Texas Southern’s Research and Innovation Pitch Competition.

Carter is the second Texas Southern student to be named a Du Bois Fellow. The first was Student Regent Kohl Crawford, who joined the inaugural cohort in 2024 and is one of seven scholars returning for a second year. Carter plans to pursue a career in international and environmental law.