2021 AAAS S-Stem: Mentored Pathways from Community College to Graduate School and Chemistry Careers
Channel: David Hecht
Date: 2021-08-11

This Track 3 Multi-Institutional Consortia S-STEM project provides an integrated mentoring and research experience bridging the chemistry and biochemistry programs of the feeder community college Southwestern College (SWC) with nearby San Diego State University (SDSU) to support academically talented, low-income student advancement from bachelor’s degrees to STEM graduate programs and careers. Given that both SWC and SDSU are designated Hispanic-Serving Institutions, this long-term mentored research experience will address the need to improve diversity in STEM graduate programs and careers by identifying and removing roadblocks to student transfer and post-transfer success. Scholarships will be provided for 150 community college students intending to major in chemistry, 30 transfer students at SDSU, and for 15 graduate students at SDSU, including students who began the program at SWC. Along with financial support, scholars will have opportunities to participate in sustained undergraduate research experiences (UREs) throughout their academic careers. Additional interventions include: mentoring by faculty, graduate students, and peers; a structured introduction to scientific research course for undergraduates; immersion of undergraduates in authentic scientific practices and research; opportunities for students to attend and present their research at national and regional professional conferences; outreach and recruitment activities; access to complementary, supporting programs for underrepresented student success at their institutions; and career/graduate school application workshops. Mentors will participate in training on best practices in mentoring to ensure high-quality UREs for all students. These proposed activities will create a mentored pathway (MP) from community college into graduate school and STEM careers. As a result of participation in this program, students will have opportunities to become integrated into the scientific research community earlier in their academic careers while developing skills and support systems necessary to persist in earning STEM degrees and ultimately enter graduate programs and careers.