Biotech-SUCCESS: Biotechnology Success in Outreach to Underserved Populations

生物科学(61)。该项目评估了一个旨在吸引来自不同人群的学生进入生物技术副学士学位课程的模式招生计划，目的是推动学生在该领域走向成功的职业生涯。为了满足生物技术领域对21世纪劳动力的需求，该项目与Licion Genetics，Inc.以及康罗独立学区的高中教师和学生建立了合作伙伴关系。它采用招聘和职业意识计划，旨在吸引代表人数不足的人群的注意，特别是来自拉美裔社区的关注。这一努力包括：(1)将高中生物技术俱乐部作为一种新的招聘工具；(2)建立一个职业意识计划，使用种族匹配的榜样、社区对话和西班牙语和英语的招聘材料；(3)在更方便的时间和地点提供核心生物技术课程；以及(4)为中学和社区大学的生物技术教育工作者提供职业发展机会。该项目中使用的方法正在评估是否可以转移到其他无法满足招募目标的生物技术计划，从而制定一项可能影响全国的战略。

Biological Sciences (61). This project evaluates a model recruitment program that is aimed at attracting students from diverse populations into biotechnology associate degree programs, with the objective of moving students toward successful careers in the field. In order to address the demand for a 21st century workforce in biotechnology, the project partners this community college with Lexicon Genetics, Inc. and high school teachers and students at the Conroe Independent School District. It employs recruitment and career awareness programs designed to catch the attention of underrepresented populations, especially from the Hispanic community. This effort includes: (1) using Biotechnology Clubs in high schools as a novel recruitment tool, (2) building a career-awareness program that employs ethnically matched role models, community dialog and recruitment materials in Spanish and English; (3) offering core biotechnology courses at more accessible times and locations; and (4) providing professional development opportunities for biotechnology educators at the secondary and community college level. The methods used in this project are being evaluated for transferability to other biotechnology programs unable to meet recruitment goals, thereby developing a strategy with possible nation-wide implications.