A Summer Research Program for Community College Students Led by Graduate Students at the University of Washington

Abstract

Chemistry students at community colleges often experience a lack of hands-on research opportunities, which can be a significant disadvantage when they transition to four-year universities. To address this, the Summer Chemistry Research Opportunities for Community College Students (SCROCCS) was established in 2022 by graduate students at the University of Washington to provide early chemical research exposure to community college students in the Greater Puget Sound area. SCROCCS has two primary goals: (1) to provide participating students with research experience and skills crucial for their success in chemistry and related STEM fields, and (2) to offer leadership opportunities for graduate students at host universities. SCROCCS shows promise in improving the readiness of community college students for research-focused universities, thereby enhancing their academic and career trajectories. This paper presents the design, execution, evaluation, and results of SCROCCS over its first two years. The findings indicate significant benefits for participants as they transferred to four-year universities. With its successful design and implementation, SCROCCS is considered replicable at other institutions, demonstrating a pathway to increase equity and inclusion in the chemical sciences nationally.