DSU 4.0 student awarded scholarship to demographics conference

A DSU rising junior Criminal Justice major was among a select group of undergraduate students from across the nation to be a part of a conference that immersed them into the research domain of demography.

Adesola Akinwale, a DSU rising junior Criminal Justice major, was one of 20 students from across the country selected to participate in the PAA Undergraduate Pipeline Program, through which they attended the 2025 Annual Meeting of the Population Association of America (PAA).

During the April 10-13 PAA Annual Meeting, the Undergraduate Pipeline Program provided the students with an introduction to demographic research, careers in demography, as well as guidance on applying and succeeding in graduate school. Moreover, the selected students’ newly gained demographics knowledge helped give them a deeper understanding of the latest research in demographics that was presented during the PAA conference.

Ms. Akinwale, a native of Nigeria who calls Upper Marlboro, Md., her current hometown, said that she was selected for the program on the strength of her submitted essay on her passionate concerns about health and equity in the United States, internationally and in Third World countries.

She said the program organizers selected students with the best potential to succeed in demography. “Of the 20 students selected, only two of us came from HBCUs – Delaware State University and Morgan State University,” Ms. Akinwale said.

Her newly acquired knowledge in demography adds more substance to her academic prowess that boasts a 4.0 GPA, as well as her leadership acumen. She is a Presidential Scholar and Honor Student, who is the President of the DSU Debate Team, the Vice President of the DSU Chapter of the Lions Club International and the newly elected President of that organization for the 2025-2026 school year. Ms. Akinwale is also a Hornet Ambassador for Braven, a leadership development organization. Ms. Akinwale is currently on track to possibly graduate early.

She said the research presenters gave her fascinating insights that introduced her to demographic application in areas had not fathomed before. “Such as the use of demographics in the study of police brutality on disabled people,” she said. 

With aspiration to go to law school and pursue a career as an attorney with a focus on public policy issues, she said the demographic knowledge she gained is invaluable. She also enjoyed the company she kept with the other selectees.

“Being in the room with top-achieving undergraduate students from across the country allowed me to forge deep relationships and which continue to be valuable even after the conference was over,” she said. “I also met a lot of big players from other universities who could be helpful when am ready to start graduate school.”

Ms. Akinwale received a $2,100 scholarship from the PAA to cover the cost of the conference, which included the registration, hotel, transportation and per-denim costs.