Brown-Tougaloo Partnership
Date August 10, 2026
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Brown-Tougaloo Partnership Brings Summer Community Together at Annual Reception

The Brown-Tougaloo Partnership community gathered in July for its annual summer reception, hosted by Matthew Guterl, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion. The gathering brought together BTP students, faculty, and staff on campus for Brown’s summer programs.

A male staff member poses with female collegues and students
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From left to right: Assistant Dean for Equity Initiatives and University K–12 Engagement Joi-Danelle Whitehead; Associate Dean for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs at the Medical School Joseph Diaz; Program Coordinator for BioMed Medical Affairs/Faculty Affairs Ruthie Salguero; and Tougaloo alumnae and fourth-year medical students Jamie Bozeman, Valeria Brown, and Olive Cooper.

Three high school students pose for a photo
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Featured: JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School students participating in Brown’s Summer Pre-College Program.

Two female-presenting people pose with a male-presenting colleague.
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From left to right: Director of the Health Equity Scholars Program at Brown, Rosenny Taveras, and Tougaloo College Professors Thomas Lewis and Karina Kapusta.

A group of people of diverse backgrounds pose for a photo.
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Some Brown-Tougaloo Partnership faculty, staff, and students pose for a group photo.

On Tuesday, July 7, 2026, members of the Brown-Tougaloo community gathered for the partnership’s annual summer reception, welcoming students and faculty from Tougaloo College who were participating in Brown’s Summer Pre-College Program.

Several Tougaloo College faculty, who were teaching Pre-College courses, were in attendance, including professors Santanu Banerjee, Roshunda Harris-Allen, Karina Kapusta, Thomas Lewis, and Melissa McCoy. Three students from the JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School who were taking Pre-College courses at Brown also attended the reception. 

The gathering, hosted by Matthew Guterl, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion, offered an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff from across the partnership to connect in a relaxed setting. Rain moved this celebration indoors to Alumnae Hall. 

Reflecting on the tradition of the gathering, Guterl said: 

Now more than ever it is important to bring together those bound in common cause. Our colleagues, friends, and students from Tougaloo - partners in too many ways to count - should always feel welcome here, and there is no better way to make anyone feel welcome than to invite them into your home. Last year, on a sunny day, we hosted this event in my backyard; and this year, in the pouring rain, we did it in the cozy confines of Alumnae Hall. Both times, we laughed and celebrated all that we'd done together. And made plans, of course, for what comes next.

Guterl welcomed those in attendance and opened the space with brief remarks. The gathering continued with informal conversation, food, and music, giving participants time to connect beyond their individual programs and roles. Attendees were also encouraged to introduce themselves to someone they had not yet met, creating new connections among attendees. 

From a rainy-day change of plans to an evening of conversations and joy, the gathering offered the Brown-Tougaloo community an opportunity to reconnect over the summer months.