Biology Major Among Only 12 Students Selected Nationwide for UConn Health Program

When Alabama A&M University senior Miya McCoy opened her acceptance email from UConn Health, she knew she was one step closer to realizing a lifelong dream – becoming a dentist. The biology major from Aliceville, Alabama, was one of just 12 students nationwide selected for the highly competitive 2025 Medical/Dental Preparatory Track 1 (DAT) Program at the University of Connecticut in Farmington. She was also one of only three students representing historically Black colleges and universities, making her achievement especially meaningful.

McCoy’s journey at Alabama A&M has been shaped by strong mentorship and a close-knit academic community. She cites Distinguished Biology Professor Dr. Jeanette Jones as a guiding force in her academic and professional growth. “Dr. Jones has been with me since I set foot at Alabama A&M,” McCoy said. “She’s been a guide, a cheerleader, and a true advocate for students like me. Her commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists and healthcare professionals goes beyond the classroom – she truly invests in our success.”

Under Jones’s mentorship, and with encouragement from Richele Jordan, a dedicated staff member in the Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, McCoy learned about the UConn Health program and was urged to apply. Their belief in her potential – and McCoy’s determination to pursue every opportunity – culminated in her acceptance on March 31, 2025.

The seven-week summer program, held from June 2 through July 18, was sponsored by the Department of Health Career Opportunity Programs and the Aetna Health Professions Partnership Initiative at UConn Health. Designed to prepare students for the Dental Admission Test (DAT) and strengthen their readiness for dental school, the experience provided intensive coursework, clinical shadowing, laboratory training, and professional development workshops. Participants also received housing, meals, and a stipend to support their full engagement in the program.

“This program truly stretched me,” McCoy reflected. “It gave me the academic preparation I needed for the DAT, but it also built my confidence in clinical and research settings. Being part of a supportive peer group made all the difference.” The mentorship from UConn faculty and the camaraderie among students reinforced McCoy’s commitment to dentistry and to serving communities with limited access to care.

This was not McCoy’s first experience in a competitive academic environment. In the summer of 2024, she was one of 80 students selected from 900 applicants nationwide to participate in the Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) at the University of Florida. That experience strengthened her academic foundation and confirmed her ability to thrive in demanding, high-expectation environments.

At Alabama A&M, McCoy maintains an active presence across campus. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, the Chemistry Club, the Biology Club, and the Minority Association of Pre-Medical Students (MAPS). She is also a recipient of both the Heritage Scholarship and the Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) award, which supports underrepresented students in STEM fields. McCoy says the LSAMP program invests in student success and helps prepare the next generation of STEM leaders by ensuring they are equipped to make meaningful contributions to their fields.

McCoy credits mentors such as Dr. Kandace Betts-O’Neal, Dr. Keneshia Johnson, Mrs. Petura McCaa-Burke, Ms. Tia Hampton, Mrs. Jacobie Kelsey, and Jones for their encouragement and guidance throughout her journey. She also draws inspiration from her family – especially her mother, who graduated from Alabama A&M in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education.

As she prepares to graduate in December 2025, McCoy is focused on applying to and being accepted into the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry, where she hopes to continue her training and develop her skills to serve communities in need.

“AAMU has taught me resilience, leadership, and the importance of giving back,” she said. “I want to be the kind of mentor and provider who helps others achieve their dreams, just as so many have done for me.”