University of Arizona's Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD)

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The University of Arizona (UA) is a research-intensive institution with a strong record of supporting diverse students. It is an American Indian and Alaska Native-Serving Institution (AIANSI) and was recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in 2018. The goal of the Initiatives for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program is to build our under- represented (UR) students’ sense of belonging, self-efficacy and science identity. To meet this goal, IMSD trainees enroll as a cohort in a one-unit success course in the first year, and engage in individualized and cohort-based professional development and career readiness activities. UA IMSD will utilize a new Annual Review to create a personalized academic and research plan for each trainee and mentor. IMSD mentors will engage in inclusive mentoring workshops to support their ability to work with their trainees. IMSD scholars are immersed in a tiered mentoring system and receive support from the IMSD PI/Co-Is, staff, faculty, their dissertation advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies of their program, and peer mentors. NIH funding will be used to support program staff, first year student stipends, the success course, and social/professional development opportunities. In recent years, IMSD has provided opportunities to other UR biomedical sciences students who would benefit from the program. In this proposal, we will create an engaged community of biomedical research scholars comprised of 12 NIH- funded IMSD trainees and additional UR graduate students in the biomedical sciences. Furthermore, IMSD leadership has been expanded to include campus leaders with faculty appointments in diversity, administration, and education who will serve as mentors and role models. We seek to develop IMSD trainees who will be scientists, researchers and leaders in their field. Our goal is to be the premier institution in the Southwest for supporting diverse students in the Biomedical Sciences.