UROP Leader Information Submission: Submission #226

First Name: Jakyah
Last Name: Hayes
Full name as you would like it to appear on the website: Jakyah Hayes
Preferred Pronouns: She/her
Hometown, State, and Country (ex: Tallahassee, FL, USA): Tallahassse
FSU email : jih24@fsu.edu
Please check this box if you are willing to be contacted by students interested in UROP: Yes
LinkedIn URL (optional): https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakyah-hayes-21075b313/
Major(s): Anthropology and Arabic
Minor(s): Geography
Graduation Semester and Year (ex: Fall, 2022): Fall, 2026
What is your current research focus?:
I am currently conducting research through the Anthropology Museum Website Project under the mentorship of Dr. Amy Kowal. The project began during fall of 2024, and alongside my research partner, Max Sturgeon, we developed a fully functional website that officially launched at the 2025 Undergraduate Research Symposium.
This website addresses a significant gap in digital access to the traditional and valuable history held by university museums. The FSU Anthropology Museum’s content is now accessible to people of all ages and disciplines. Unlike many institutional websites, which often require login credentials, our platform offers open access to museum classes, ceramic exhibits, department history, and more.
Our work continues into the summer and fall of 2025, during which we will create tutorials and templates for future student researchers. These tools will help digitize and preserve their exhibits, continuing the mission of expanding accessibility and public engagement with anthropological collections.

Are there any other research related activities you participate(d) in?:
In the Summer of 2025 I will  participate in the Evergreen Plantation Archaeological Survey (EPAS) in New Orleans, Louisiana, under the field direction of Tara Skipton, a Ph.D. student in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Texas. I was connected to this opportunity by previous EPAS field director, Dr. Jayur Mehta, an associate professor of Anthropology at FSU. The primary goal of the excavation is to uncover material evidence that sheds light on the lives of the people who once lived on the plantation. A key focus of the project is identifying the possible remains of a church mentioned in oral histories but absent from historical maps—an important step in recovering overlooked aspects of the site's cultural and religious past.

Answer one of the following two questions about being a UROP Leader or your UROP background. : How do you hope to impact your students as a UROP Leader?
Please answer the question you selected above in the area provided.:
As a UROP leader, I aspire to create a supportive and inspiring environment that encourages my students to explore their full potential in research. I particularly want to embody the paradigm of being a dedicated leader and a committed student, demonstrating that research is a journey of never-ending discovery. My goal is for students to see the vast opportunities that research offers and to inspire them to embrace the process with curiosity and confidence.  Additionally, I aim to be a guide throughout their research process, helping them navigate challenges with confidence. I vividly remember how nervous I was during  the beginning of my undergraduate research experience, so I want to ensure my students feel supported, empowered, and excited to contribute to their fields of interest. 

Please list any other hobbies or interests you would like to share:
I regularly use my language skills developed in current Arabic courses,  to bond with members of the Arab community in Tallahassee on weekends. I am a henna artist, emphasizing the importance of mental health and how henna allows one's inner light to shine, through my business called Deep Stain Virgo.  I am also  an aspiring member of the FSU NAACP Chapter and Black Women's Alliance and am actively involved in volunteering in the Tallahassee community, assisting my mother in providing clothes and food to the homeless through her thrift store, Jenn's Den. I am also deeply interested in underwater archaeology and have a true passion for oceanography, ecology, and maritime studies. Currently, I am earning my diver's license through "Unicorns of Diving," led by President Justin Lovett. My ultimate goal is to become a scientific diver involved in research projects that study shipwreck microbiology and conduct archaeological research on undiscovered or historic slave ships. Additionally, I am creating an academic pathway to specialize in museum law, which aligns with my interests in making historical knowledge accessible and preserving cultural heritage.

Headshot: https://cre.fsu.edu/system/files/webform/urop_leaders_information/19346/jih24%40fsu.edu-46b3a97c.jpg
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2025Year2025: 2025
Approved: No
Update URL UROP Leaders: https://cre.fsu.edu/urop-leader-information-submission?element_parents=elements/headshot&ajax_form=1&_wrapper_format=drupal_ajax&token=BQ2EBuvmaDJRuHmkeAw1gIBe7bRGaPrqXe4MMVUDh7g
Years as a UROP Leader: 2025-2026