Bouchet Society Spotlight: Janae Best

The Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society (Bouchet Society) is named for the first African American doctoral recipient in the United States (Physics, Yale University, 1876) and recognizes outstanding scholarly achievement, promotes diversity, and advances excellence in doctoral education and the professoriate. The society was formed in 2005 through a national chartre inagurated by Yale University and Howard University. The Rackham Graduate School at the University of Michigan has held a chapter since 2008.

Learn more about the Bouchet Society through this Q&A with one of its 2025 inductees: Rackham and School of Public Health alum Janae Best (Ph.D. ’25) 

How has the Bouchet Honor Society fueled your research and/or professional practice? 
Learning about Dr. Bouchet’s scholarship and life story was both affirming and deeply motivating. His legacy reinforced my commitment to centering equity in my research and professional practice, and it reminded me that perseverance in the face of adversity is essential to meaningful work. Knowing that Dr. Bouchet achieved his Ph.D. despite immense barriers inspired me to continue pushing forward in my own doctoral journey, confident that I, too, can overcome challenges to make a lasting impact.

What do you value most about being a member of the Bouchet Honor Society?
What I value most is being part of a community of like-minded scholars who are united by a commitment to excellence, equity, and service. The Bouchet Honor Society brings together individuals from a rich diversity of backgrounds, creating space for shared learning, mutual support, and the exchange of ideas that strengthen both our scholarship and our impact.

What advice might you give to Bouchet Society applicants?
My advice is to embrace your authentic self throughout the application process. Let your values, passions, and lived experiences shine through alongside your scholarly accomplishments. The Bouchet Honor Society celebrates not only academic excellence, but also the character, integrity, and humanity that shape who we are as scholars and leaders.

Learn more about the Bouchet Society at U-M.