September 27, 1999
Bridging the gap: new program encourages underrepresented minorities pursuing science careers
It may not achieve quite the same global impact on minority science education as a recent $1 billion gift from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. However, University of Washington officials are confident that a new program to encourage and mentor underrepresented minority and disadvantaged students considering careers in the health sciences will accomplish similar goals, one student at a time.
The program, called Bridges4 (Biomedical Research Identification of Graduate Successful Student Support Services) is funded by a $1.35 million four-year grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences, a component of the National Institutes of Health.
The newly appointed director is Lisa Peterson, who comes from a highly successful minority student program in the UW School of Engineering. Principal investigator on the grant is Dr. Dan Dorsa, associate dean for scientific affairs in the UW School of Medicine. Faculty from all of the health sciences schools at the UW have endorsed the program. Dorsa worked with Karlotta Rosebaugh, director of Health Sciences Educational Enrichment and Transition Services, in developing the program.
“The goal is to prepare students for graduate studies in the biomedical sciences,” said Peterson. “If students can get through the freshman and sophomore prerequisites in science and math, the retention rate is very high. If they’re prepared well the first two years, they’re likely to succeed in the last two years.”
While the program is available to all students, it is especially aimed at groups who are underrepresented in the biomedical sciences: African Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders, Native Americans and Alaska Natives, who have been admitted to the University of Washington and who plan to major in science. They will be followed throughout their undergraduate careers. Initially, 50 students are involved in the program; the goal is to involve up to 250 by the end of four years.
A two-week “Boot Camp” before the start of fall quarter gave 20 incoming students the opportunity to hone their math, chemistry and learning skills, as well as be introduced to the University by speakers that included President Richard McCormick and Regent Connie Proctor and faculty members from the six health sciences schools. Boot Camp included two hours nightly of group study, and closed with a ceremony and presentation of certificates for textbook purchases.
“It gets them into the right mindset for studying, before they have to worry about grades,” commented Peterson. “There’s also a social component, because they form friendships and can become each others’ best resources.”
“At first I wasn’t into the group study sessions at all,” said Adrienne DeCuire, a freshman from South Seattle. “But when I went home for the weekend and tried to study on my own, I really appreciated what a support the group study environment can be.”
Once classes start, students in the program will be offered enrichment workshops, tutors, and intensive advising on study skills and academic choices. In their third and fourth years, they can apply for undergraduate research positions, which will increase their competitiveness for graduate school. “It’s hard to get into graduate school without references and experience,” commented Peterson.
Bridges4 will also be offered at the graduate/professional level next fall. New graduate students will have the opportunity to work with more senior-level graduate students, be offered travel support for conferences, and be provided emergency funding where necessary.
