Shalom Akolatse ’26, 1693 Scholar and double major in math and chemistry, has found ways to connect with nearly every corner of the College of William & Mary. From lab research to poetry writing to welcoming new students on campus, his journey reflects both the importance of curiosity and community.
Akolatse first heard of the College years before he applied. As a military kid who spent part of his childhood in Williamsburg, the College was on his list from the very beginning. When he was offered the prestigious 1693 scholarship, the decision became clear.
The 1693 scholarship brings together a small, close-knit cohort of eight students per year. For Akolatse, the community it created was as valuable as the academic opportunities it offered.
“I had seven new friends in my year, essentially, that I came in with, and I think that was a really good starting point for my social life as well,” Akolatse said.
Akolatse reflected that the 1693 scholar community made the transition into college less intimidating while also giving him a strong network of peers and role models to look up to.
“There are a lot of people around, like the people above me, and honestly, in the years below me, who I really respect and I’ve gotten a lot of inspiration from,” Akolatse said. “The people in my year are very, very cool. I think it’s been one of the best things that happened to me, really.”
Beyond the 1693 program, Akolatse has sought out opportunities that shaped his college experience in unexpected ways. Last year, encouraged by a close friend and fellow 1693 Scholar, he became an Orientation Aide.
“I love Orientation, honestly,” he said. “It’s such a fun time and you just get to give your all as being a part of the Tribe, and it’s one of the most rewarding experiences.”
He was also a member of the executive board of the Black Poets Society, last serving as the organization’s co-editor-in-chief. The experience pushed him to develop new skills that would set him up for success in his future academic research endeavors.
“Honestly, I think doing that was a good setup for my research in that I was not as prepared for that role as I could have been,” he said. “I think there were a lot of moments in there where I needed to get organized and consistent.”
Looking back, Akolatse emphasized that what stood out most was not just the leadership responsibilities but the sense of belonging that came with the role.
“What was fundamental about that role, and I think something that I want to carry on to graduate school and onwards, is being a part of a community that really motivates me,” Akolatse said.
Inside the lab, Akolatse’s interests have shifted since he first arrived on campus. Originally on the pre-medicine track, he joined Associate Professor of Chemistry Tyler K. Meldrum’s lab, where he investigates material structures using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance.
In time, Akolatse fell in love with the research process, particularly his work with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium can cause serious infections, which eventually led him to reconsider his career path.
“I started here as a pre-med, and after a different research experience last summer, I realized I didn’t actually want to really go to med school,” Akolatse said.
In Meldrum’s lab, Akolatse studies how P. aeruginosa forms biofilms — dense, three-dimensional bacterial communities that attach to surfaces. These structures not only make infections harder to treat but also raise questions about how microscopic systems organize and function.
For Akolatse, mentorship has been a central part of his research journey. He describes his relationship with Meldrum as one rooted in respect and independence, qualities that have pushed him to grow as both a student and researcher.
“He’s very big on independence, and every time I ask him a question, he oftentimes is asking me, ‘Well, what do you think?’” Akolatse said. “He’ll help me explore the options, but I think at the end of the day he is really invested in helping me develop as a researcher.”
Akolatse also noted the importance of the collaborative environment inside the lab. Earlier this summer, he undertook a coding project to improve data analysis systems for his research project. He found it very helpful to connect with the other students in the lab to discuss possible methodologies to accomplish his goal. While every student works on their own projects, Akolatse appreciated the support he received from the other students in his lab.
“We’re definitely very collaborative, even though we are focusing on our independent projects,” he said.
For Akolatse, the common thread across his experiences has been the people around him. Whether through the 1693 program, student organizations or his work in the lab, he has found communities that both challenge and motivate him — experiences he will carry with him to what comes next.
