Brown-Tougaloo Partnership
Date May 11, 2026
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Brown-Tougaloo Partnership Celebrates Academic Year of Connection & Growth

Brown University faculty and staff affiliated with the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership gathered with Tougaloo College students in May to reflect on the spring semester, celebrate graduating students, and mark the close of the academic year.

On Thursday, May 7, 2026, members of the Brown-Tougaloo community gathered for an end-of-year lunch to recognize the close of the spring semester and the accomplishments of students across programs.

Attendees included Tougaloo College undergraduates participating in the semester exchange program – the partnership’s longest-standing initiative – alongside graduate and medical students preparing to cross the Commencement stage and begin their next chapters.

Among those recognized were soon-to-be Brown master’s graduates Dwight Ross, a NextGen Scholar, and Ané Scott, a Health Equity Scholar, as well as Kaitlin Powell, one of four Tougaloo alumni graduating this May from the Warren Alpert Medical School at Brown University.

The afternoon blended celebration with reflection. Participants shared stories, reflected on the year, and celebrated both personal and collective milestones over a family-style meal. The program opened with remarks from Matthew Guterl, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, followed by partnership updates from Juana Parillon, Assistant Vice President of Campus and Community Engagement and Director of the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership.

Adding an element of fun and competition, Natalia Román Alicea, Director of Institutional Partnerships, led a spirited trivia game that tested participants’ knowledge of the partnership’s history, milestones, and current initiatives, with prizes awarded to top scorers. The gathering concluded with graduating students receiving farewell gifts in recognition of their achievements and the lasting impact of their time within the partnership.

Two people are seen in engaged in conversation as others gather around a food station.
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Attendees enjoy a family-style buffet and engage in conversation.

A male presenter shares remarks in front of a slide.
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Matthew Guterl, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, shares opening remarks with attendees.

A group of students, faculty, and staff watch a female presenter share remarks in front of a slide.
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Juana Parillon, Assistant Vice President of Campus and Community Engagement and Director of the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership, shares programmatic updates and highlights graduating students.

Three university staff members pose with a student holding a red gift bag
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(From left to right) Natalia Román Alicea, Director of Institutional Partnerships; Rosenny Taveras, Director of the Health Equity Scholars (HES) Program; and Juana Parillon, Assistant Vice President of Campus and Community Engagement and Director of the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership, present a farewell gift to Ané Scott, a soon-to-be graduate of the Master of Public Health program.

A student is seen sharing remarks in front of a presentation slide and red gift bags.
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Dwight Ross, a NextGen Scholar and soon-to-be graduate of the Master of Science in Biostatistics program, shares his appreciation for the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership and its impact on his academic journey at Brown.

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Natalia Román Alicea, Director of Institutional Partnerships, presents a prize to Kaitlin Powell, a soon-to-be graduate of the Warren Alpert Medical School and winner of the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership trivia game.

A group of students, faculty, and staff of the Brown-Tougaloo Partnership pose for a photo. They are smiling and waving.
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Brown-Tougaloo students, faculty, and staff pose for a group photo.