Bouchet Society Spotlight: Victoria Vezaldenos

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: Victoria Vezaldenos, a Ph.D. student in the Combined Program for Education and Psychology.

How has the Bouchet Honor Society fueled your research and/or professional practice? 
The Bouchet Honor Society has provided not only financial resources to support my research but has also offered an intellectual community with which to share my ongoing work and network across disciplines and institutions. 

What do you value most about being a member of the Bouchet Honor Society?
I have most valued the opportunities to connect with scholars from across institutions who share similar values. 

What advice might you give to Bouchet Society applicants?
In your Bouchet application, be sure to speak to all your strengths as an applicant. This often goes beyond your stellar academic work to include your commitments to leadership and service.

Learn more about the Bouchet Society at U-M.