Promoting minority success in the sciences: The minority opportunities in research programs at CSULA

Abstract

Given the large continued investment by the federal government in programs that promote academic success and the pursuit of advanced degrees in the sciences among members groups traditionally underrepresented in the sciences, there is a strong need for research which provides rigorous investigations of these programs and their impact on the target population. The current study examines programs funded by the National Institutes of Health Minority Opportunities in Research (MORE) Division Office intended to address this underrepresentation at a minority serving comprehensive university. Academic outcomes, including college graduation and acceptance into graduate programs, among undergraduate program participants are compared against a propensity score matched comparison group. Results indicate that students supported by the MORE programs had higher GPAs at graduation, took less time to graduate, and were more likely to both graduate with a science degree and enter Master's and doctoral programs in the sciences. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 49: 199–217, 2012

Promoting Indigenous nursing student success in post-secondary education: A phenomenological study

“…While the literature pointed to academic preparedness as a significant factor contributing to success, it did not show as strongly in our primary research. [8][9][10] Some students felt prepared while others felt that their high school education was lacking in some areas. Many participants were concerned about workload expectations in the post-secondary environment.…”

“…The students' feelings of preparedness did not match with the researchers' experience in the classroom, the students' postsecondary academic results, or the literature. [8][9][10] This could be due to a number of factors, such as, lack of awareness by the students' regarding academic expectations and interviewing many of the students at the beginning of the year before they were academically challenged in post-secondary school. Additionally, some of the participants performed well academically in post-secondary education, therefore, their feelings of preparedness were founded.…”

Financial Aid in Hispanic‐Serving Institutions: Aligning Resources with HSI Commitments

“…Slovacek, Whittinghill, Flenoury and Wiseman's () study of the programs funded by the National Institute of Health Minority Opportunities in Research and Education (MORE) found that the stipends and fellowships provided to undergraduate students doing research in the health sciences were essential to the students’ persistence in their degree programs and in the field. Financial support was noted as one piece of the success of the program—faculty mentoring and academic preparation were also highlighted as a key parts of the program design.…”

Minority Undergraduate Programs Intended to Increase Participation in Biomedical Careers

“…Although considered generally successful in attracting and training students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, federally mandated and funded programs targeting minorities have been found less successful in transforming minority participation in STEM into the biomedical pipeline. They have been under review and discussion for several years 1–5. Over recent decades, these programs have done a great deal for many students and greatly assisted them onto the path of becoming a research scientist by enabling them to graduate from college and enter graduate programs at a higher rate 1,5.…”

“…They have been under review and discussion for several years 1–5. Over recent decades, these programs have done a great deal for many students and greatly assisted them onto the path of becoming a research scientist by enabling them to graduate from college and enter graduate programs at a higher rate 1,5. The sources of dissatisfaction expressed in the 2005 Committee for the Assessment of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Minority Research Training Programs report3 and others derive from overly ambitious goals to change the ethnic and gender composition of the biomedical workforce and a lack of definite knowledge about the overall impact of any particular program.…”