Bridges to the Baccalaureate Research Training Program at Towson University

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT A diverse biomedical workforce is essential to ensure representation, creativity, and innovation in the field of biomedical research and higher education. While minoritized students begin college as STEM majors at the same rates as their well represented counterparts, they are less likely to graduate with a STEM degree. The attrition of students from STEM majors is acutely seen in students who begin college at two-year institutions, warranting increased support for transfer students. This training grant supports students as they transfer from Baltimore City Community College (BCCC) and the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC) to Towson University and complete their bachelor’s degree in the biomedical sciences. This new training grant proposal builds on the past success of our twenty years long R25 B2B and implements new strategies to empower and support trainees as we transition to a T34 mechanism. Our program is designed to meet the following objectives: 1) Provide a dynamic and supportive training environment that promotes self-efficacy and science identity. We aim for >85% of trainees to transfer to TU and for >90% of trainees who transfer to TU to graduate within three years of transfer; 2) Cultivate a supportive and inclusive community that is integrated with active STEM training programs at BCCC, CCBC and TU to provide professional development. All B2B trainees will participate in professional development activities that expose trainees to biomedical career options and promote career development skills; 3) Provide B2B trainees with the information and tools required to successfully matriculate into post-graduate programs in the biomedical sciences. While the primary goal of the B2B program is to support the transfer of and completion of bachelor’s degrees in biomedical fields, all B2B trainees will receive mentoring that informs them of post-graduate opportunities in the biomedical field and facilitates development of application materials for post-graduate study. We aim for at least 50% of trainees to apply to post-graduate programs in the biomedical field within two years of completion of their bachelor’s degree; and 4) Evaluate the effectiveness of B2B training components through annual program evaluation and improved tracking of B2B alumni. We aim for tracking of >90% of B2B trainees for at least fifteen years following admission into the B2B program.