The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Initiative for Maximizing Student Development Program

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PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The number of underrepresented (UR) students enrolled in biomedical sciences PhD programs in Arkansas and nationally is consistently low. The number of UR students who actually graduate from biomedical sciences PhD programs is even lower, resulting in a small pool of UR faculty in the biomedical research workforce. The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' (UAMS) Initiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program was funded in 2009 and aims to increase the number of UR students who enroll and graduate in biomedical sciences PhD programs, and assist these students in transitioning into the biomedical research workforce. The average UR student enrollment rate in UAMS biomedical science PhD programs is currently 15.2%, more than double the percent of UR students enrolled in biomedical science PhD programs before the IMSD program began in 2009. However, this number is still lower than the national average and more interventions are needed to increase UR student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates in biomedical sciences programs. The current IMSD program consists of student development and retention activities aimed at enhancing UR student success during their program of study and increasing their graduation rates. To further our efforts to assist UR biomedical science students, we plan to continue the current IMSD programs and propose adding new training activities to ensure UR student academic success. Under this administrative supplement, we plan to host a series of seminars focusing on implicit bias, stereotype threat and imposters syndrome; resilience workshops targeting graduate students; resilience training modules with small group sessions targeting graduate students; develop a formal mentoring and coaching program utilizing members of our Women's Faculty Development Caucus and Academic Senate that targets graduate students; and provide opportunities for peer-to-peer mentoring by pairing IMSD graduate students and UR undergraduate students. The specific aims of this proposed research training plan are to: 1) enhance activities in existing IMSD programs by focusing on wellness and safety; and 2) develop and implement new IMSD programs focusing on resilience, emotional intelligence, cognitive dissonance, and self-advocacy; and 3) develop and implement an undergraduate Near-Peer Mentoring program.