19th Annual Bryan A. Collins
Scholarship Program Recognizes
Seven Continuing Winners For 2025-27
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The Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute at TSU
Will Prepare Them For Careers As
Doctors and Dentists
The Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program
Has Now Awarded 198 Scholarships
Since Its Launch in 2007
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NASHVILLE (AP), Nov 8 – This year seven students were awarded 3-year, $5000 per year scholarship grants at the 19th Annual Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program. This year this program was conducted for the first time via Zoom.
In awarding these scholarships, the Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program has partnered for the third consecutive with the prestigious Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr. Institute at Tennessee State University (TSU).
Through the Watkins Institute, TSU and Meharry Medical College have teamed up to achieve the goal of preparing more black students for careers as doctors and dentists.
These four new students will join the previous year’s group of eight (8) scholarship winners — making for a total of 12 current students in the program.
All will go on to study for three years at TSU and then go on to Meharry for four years of medical or dental school — after which they will be conferred their B.S. degree in Biology or Chemistry after successful completion at TSU — and their M.D. or D.D.S. degree upon completion of the medical or dental program at Meharry Medical College.
Additional information about the previous groups can be found here and here.
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“We are excited to support all of our scholarship winners in the Dr. Levi Watkins, Jr institute’s Accelerated Program in our son, Bryan’s name,” said Francine Pace and Alan Collins, parents of the late Bryan A. Collins and founders of the scholarship program.
“We need more black doctors and dentists. Our country is increasingly more diverse. And, patients need more healthcare choices, more providers who look like them and more clinics located in underserved communities. And, it is truly an honor to support the education of these high-potential, personable and dynamic students as they work towards filling this need.
“We wish them much success at TSU as they prepare for their journey towards entering the medical and dental professions.”
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Barbara Murrell, Chair of the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr Institute at TSU concurred.
“For the third consecutive year, the Institute family is very grateful for the contribution and support of The Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Fund established at the TSU Foundation,” said Ms. Murrell.
“Dr. Watkins was a world-renowned heart surgeon and a TSU alum. He was a student of mine. And he is credited with implanting the first automatic defibrillator in a human patient.
“We are hopeful the students that have enrolled in the program in his honor will follow in his footsteps and become role models for other Black kids. Upon completing Medical/Dental school, these students will commit to a career as primary care physicians or dentists, serving underserved communities.
“On behalf of TSU and the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr Institute, we’d like to thank Bryan’s parents for establishing this program to support these excellent students.”
Here’s a close-up look at the new
2025-27 Bryan A. Collins Scholars:
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Christopher Zaire Creighton-Mitchell ….from Atlanta, Georgia…completed his 2nd year at TSU…majoring in Biology and Chemistry at the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr Institute…National Honor Society Member… Captain of the Varsity Track & Field Team….Former President, Vice-President, 2nd Vice-President, and Chaplain of the Alpharetta Smyrna Alumni Chapter Guide Right Program….Co-Leader of the Distinguished Hue-Mans (Black Male Affinity Group)….Kappa League Leadership Development Program… Worked as an IT intern at the Westminster Schools…CPR certified and has been taking Spanish classes for the past 7 years…He has used these abilities to help care for patients in various countries, such as: Guyana and Costa Rica…Worked at the local community center teaching Spanish-speaking-students English and translating English children’s books into Spanish.
Christopher plans to become a neurosurgeon to help the level of healthcare provided to African Americans and other minorities.
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Miracle Hughes …from Southaven, Mississippi….completed her 2nd year at TSU…majoring in biology, minoring in chemistry at the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr Institute….National Honor Society member and served as Treasurer…Graduated top ten percent of her class, with special distinction…Finished with one of the highest-grade point averages in her school….Member of Key Club and received over 30 community service hours a semester….Participated and served in many leadership roles at her high school….Because of her PSAT scores, she was recognized by college board in their prestigious National Recognition Program.
Miracle plans to enter the medical field as a doctor and anesthesiologist while serving her neighborhood and giving back to the community.
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Chandler Hollis ….from Bellaire, Texas…completed his 2nd year at TSU…majoring in biology at the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr Institute…served as President of the Student Body at his school…National Honor Society member…served on Project C.U.R.E…spent countless hours engaged in leadership roles in youth sports…. He plans to extend himself to various organizations on campus. Groups like Build, Maps, and Collegiate 100 are all positive organizations on campus that he is interested in joining…Also plans on serving the Nashville community.
Chandler plans to enter the medical field as a doctor and is excited about the prospect of bringing two of his passions together, helping people and science.
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Blake Alexander Bennett…From New Orleans, Louisiana…completed his first year at TSU…majoring in Biology and the pre-Dental track at the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr Institute…Strong commitment to community service and leadership excellence…Served as the manager of the Urban & Black Culture Club in high school, which fostered cultural appreciation and support for the Black student body…Organized various community service events…Helped establish his high school’s first Black step team…Member of STEM of New Orleans…Member of the Honor Foundation, where he volunteered to be a part of a beautification project in overlooked areas of New Orleans. One of the areas that received special focus was New Orelans’ East, an area particularly damaged by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, one still greatly overlooked by the city.
FUTURE PLANS: Blake’s long-term goal is to become an Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and establish his own practice, ultimately serving as a leader and role model in the healthcare field, particularly for underrepresented communities.
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Malachi Booker…From Maryland…completed his first year at TSU…Majoring in Biology and Pre-Med at the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr Institute…Summa cum laude, high school honor roll student with diverse interests focused on leadership development and service to others…Member of the high school Toastmasters Club for public speaking…As part of North Carolina A&T University’s Advanced Manufacturing Program, he worked with the STK software to study the effect of manufacturing, earning a stipend for his contributions…Volunteered for Teen Court with Prince George’s County, where he about the judicial processes, legal and courtroom procedures…Participated in the Foster Children Program, where he spent time with youth, building their confidence through team activities and sports…Member of the Audio-Visual Team for First Baptist Church of Glenarden, Malachi used his technical abilities to support amenities during church events.
FUTURE PLANS: Malachi’s ultimate goal is a medical career that melds his interest in STEM innovation with responsiveness to patients.
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Gabrielle E. Maxwell …From San Antonio, TX…completed her first year at TSU…Majoring in Biology with a Pre-Dental focus at the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr Institute…National Honor Society member…Gained leadership experience as a founding member and secretary of her high school Key Club International chapter, contributing to community service initiatives…Active member of the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and became a regional, state, and international qualifier, setting a strong precedent for the inaugural HOSA program at her school…Certified as a Clinical Medical Assistant, EKG Technician, and CPR, which have provided her with valuable hands-on experience and a solid foundation for her future in the dental field.
FUTURE PLANS: Gabrielle’s long-term goal is to specialize in either general dentistry or orthodontics, with the ambition of managing her practice. She envisions a future where she not only advances the field of dentistry but also delivers high-quality care with efficiency and compassion.
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Kagan Word …From Forrest City, Arkansas…completed his first year at TSU…Majoring in the Biology Pre-Med track at the Dr. Levi Watkins Jr Institute…Has already earned an Associate degree from East Arkansas Community College. This foundational experience inspired his desire to explore the medical field further…President of the Student Government at his high school, which allowed him to advocate for his peers and contribute positively to the school environment…Actively involved in the National Honor Society and the Biology Club, where he collaborated with fellow students on various projects and events…Awarded the Forrest City Youth of the Year Award and the Superintendent Academic Award, which recognized his dedication to both his studies and community service.
FUTURE PLANS: Ultimately, Kagan aspires to return to rural Arkansas to practice medicine, focusing on underserved communities. He’s passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and
believes that by becoming a General Surgeon, he can provide the quality care and support that these communities deserve.
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In wrapping up, Francine Pace and Alan Collins, offered the following final comments on the program: “We’d like thank Barbara Murrell and Lalita Hodge for their outstanding leadership and hard work in setting up our visit to TSU on October 26. And we’d also like to extend our warm and heartfelt appreciation to our families and all of our awesome super-contributors — especially Pamela Hewitt and Warren Lawson — for their unwavering support and generous donations to the scholarship for eighteen consecutive years.”
“You have all gone beyond the call of duty and have continued making this program a success!”
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If you’d like to contribute to the
Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program,
you can find more information HERE.
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If you’d like to apply for the
Bryan A. Collins Scholarship Program,
you can find more information HERE.
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The Dr. Levi Watkins Jr. Institute was
established in 2020. More information
about it can be found HERE.
