UNC Pembroke’s REACH Fellows Skyla Miller and Sheena Holbrook, along with mentors Drs. Michele Fazio and Christopher Woolley, recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to participate in the National Humanities Alliance’s (NHA) Annual Meeting and Humanities Advocacy Day.
The event brings advocates nationwide to meet with members of Congress and their staff, making a strong case for federal humanities funding. NHA provides training sessions and resources to support these advocacy efforts.
Dr. Fazio, professor of English and REACH director, highlighted the importance of the experience.
"Attending Humanities Advocacy Day allowed our students to share their stories beyond campus,” Fazio said. “Meeting with legislative staff to discuss our research on the representation of race and ethnicity in the Southeast through the Federal Writers’ Project was incredibly impactful. It showed just how vital the humanities are in undergraduate education. Our students should learn to advocate for their beliefs and add their voices to the conversation."
Established in 2019, the REACH (Research Engagement Action Community Humanities) program supports students in the humanities who aspire to pursue academic careers. Funded by the Mellon Foundation and a recipient of an National Endowment of the Humanities grant, the program covers travel expenses to conduct archival research at the Library of Congress and National Archives.
“This trip highlighted the value of the REACH program in helping students apply what they’ve learned in real-world settings,” said Dr. Woolley, a professor in the Department of History and REACH’s assistant director. “Sheena and Skyla captivated staffers from the offices of Representatives Rouzer, Ross, Edwards, McDowell and Senator Tillis as they shared how this program has shaped their academic and professional journeys.”
Holbrook and Miller said the trip was transformative in helping them grow, collaborate and refine their advocacy skills. Holbrook reflected on her experience as a first-generation adult and distance learner.
"My journey demonstrates how humanities funding breaks down barriers for non-traditional students, allowing us to achieve dreams beyond our immediate circumstances,” Holbrook said.
“Our conversations with congressional staff were insightful, and we stressed the wide-reaching benefits of even small humanities grants. We left D.C. hopeful that our advocacy made an impact and reinforced the need for sustained investment in the humanities,” Holbrook continued.
Miller also shared her key takeaways.
"Attending Humanities Advocacy Day taught me the value of approaching every meeting and conversation with an open mind,” Miller said. “Working alongside representatives from other North Carolina schools, we delivered a united message. Sharing my journey and how the humanities have shaped my path allowed me to connect more personally and advocate for something that has truly opened doors for me."
She also emphasized the power of storytelling in advocacy.
"One of the biggest lessons I learned is that advocacy isn’t just about presenting facts or statistics—it’s about building genuine connections,” Miller said. “We created meaningful dialogue by sharing personal stories, actively listening and finding common ground. This experience showed me how powerful a collective voice can be when rooted in shared experiences and a clear, unified message."
The REACH Fellows were the only students from the UNC System in attendance, and they hope their efforts in D.C. contribute to a stronger future for humanities funding. The trip also underscored REACH’s commitment to supporting student engagement and community-driven initiatives.
Fellows will present their research at the REACH Symposium and Community Exhibit on April 23 from 4-6 p.m. at Livermore Library.
