iScience (Oct 2023)
Project Strengthen: An STEMM-focused career development workshop to prepare underrepresented minority students for graduate school
- Taylor Barongan,
- Kit Neikirk,
- Bryanna Shao,
- Neng Vue,
- Elsie C. Spencer,
- Kinutha Kabugi,
- Zachary Conley,
- Larry Vang,
- Mein Vue,
- Nancy Vang,
- Edgar Garza-Lopez,
- Amber Crabtree,
- Stefanie Alexander,
- Angyth Dal,
- Heather K. Beasley,
- Andrea G. Marshall,
- Mason Killion,
- Dominique C. Stephens,
- Denise Martinez,
- Caroline B. Palavicino-Maggio,
- Felysha Jenkins,
- Jamaine Davis,
- Steven M. Damo,
- Christina N. Morra,
- Sandra A. Murray,
- Chia Vang,
- Derrick J. Morton,
- Zer Vue,
- Haysetta Shuler,
- Antentor Hinton, Jr.
Affiliations
- Taylor Barongan
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Kit Neikirk
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Bryanna Shao
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Neng Vue
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Elsie C. Spencer
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA; Teachers College, Columbia University; New York, NY, USA
- Kinutha Kabugi
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Zachary Conley
- Collaborative for STEM Education and Outreach, Department of Teaching and Learning, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Larry Vang
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Mein Vue
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Nancy Vang
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Edgar Garza-Lopez
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Amber Crabtree
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Stefanie Alexander
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Angyth Dal
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Heather K. Beasley
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Andrea G. Marshall
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Mason Killion
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA
- Dominique C. Stephens
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA; Department of Life and Physical Sciences, Fisk University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Denise Martinez
- Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, University of Iowa Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, USA
- Caroline B. Palavicino-Maggio
- McLean Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Felysha Jenkins
- Department of Basic Sciences, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Vanderbilt School of Medicine, Nashville, TN, USA
- Jamaine Davis
- Department of Biochemistry, Cancer Biology, Neuroscience, and Pharmacology, Meharry Medical College, Nashville, TN, USA
- Steven M. Damo
- Department of Life and Physical Sciences, Fisk University, Nashville, TN, USA
- Christina N. Morra
- Department of Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA
- Sandra A. Murray
- Department of Cell Biology, University of Pittsburgh; Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Chia Vang
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA; Counseling Department, New Highlands University, Las Vegas, NM, USA
- Derrick J. Morton
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Department of Biomedical Science, Pasadena, CA, USA; Department of Biological Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Zer Vue
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA; Corresponding author
- Haysetta Shuler
- Department of Biological Sciences, Winston-Salem State University; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Corresponding author
- Antentor Hinton, Jr.
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University; Nashville, TN, USA; Corresponding author
- Journal volume & issue
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Vol. 26,
no. 10
p. 107766
Abstract
Summary: Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) programs are aimed to increase diversity in science, technology, engineering, math, and medicine (STEMM) fields. However, limited programs and eligibility requirements limit the students who may apply to similar programs. At Winston-Salem State University, we piloted a series of workshops, collectively termed Project Strengthen, to emulate some of the key aspects of MARC programs. Following the workshop, Project Strengthen students showed a significant increase in their understanding of essential educational development skills, such as writing personal statements, applying to graduate school, studying for the GRE, and seeking summer internships. This suggests Project Strengthen may be a potential lower cost comparable option than MARC to make up for current deficiencies in preparedness for graduate school. We also provide educational materials from Project Strengthen, including a clear framework for this seminar series, six ready-made PowerPoints to share with trainees that have been demonstrated to be effective.
