Summer 2025
Recipients
Cultivating Underrepresented Students in Biomedical Research and Public Health (Hershey, COM) [PY1]
“CUSP is a weeklong summer pre-orientation program for incoming graduate students in basic sciences and public health at the COM. It was developed for and implemented by graduate students in 2023. CUSP aims to support students from backgrounds that are traditionally underrepresented in science including those defined by the NIH (e.g., underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities or from disadvantaged backgrounds, first-generation college students), international and LGBTQIA+. CUSP promotes diverse student retention and graduation by encouraging confidence through scientific skill practice as well as fostering belonging through group discussions and mentoring from upperclassmen and faculty.”
Introducing research in summer bridge programs (University Park) [PY2]
“We propose to continue our pilot of the introduction of research concepts in the 2025 Engineering Summer Bridge program, which serves 30 incoming students who are underrepresented. We hypothesize that exposing students to concepts and opportunities of undergraduate research will motivate and prepare for future research experiences. Given the established positive impact of participation in research, we expect our intervention to promote higher retention rates. Assessment will leverage survey instruments and CoE retention dashboards to track student success. Our initial results from year 1 show promise in enhancing student interest in research activities.”
Maymester in Mexico: Language, Culture & Community-based Learning (University Park) [PY4]
“A faculty-led study abroad program to Mexico develops equity-minded dispositions, leadership and advocacy skills through experiential learning in multicultural, multilingual communities. The program offers classroom instruction preparing students for ethnographic inquiry within Spanish-speaking and indigenous communities as they examine cultural, racial, and linguistic biases to build understanding of systemic oppression and the interpersonal and global impact of language. An innovative program design builds a reciprocal relationship with Universidad Autónoma Benito Juárez de Oaxaca (UABJO). Mexican students join PSU students in online instruction (Spring semester) and on-ground during a three-week experience in Mexico (Maymester). Our recruitment targets students of historically underrepresented groups in study abroad programs.”
Penn State in Portugal (University Park) [PY1]
“This customized study abroad program, led by onsite local faculty, expands access to international experiences in a location not currently offered in Penn State’s portfolio of education abroad programs. It offers courses in Business, Health, and Engineering, emphasizing STEM subjects enriched by local cultural contexts. Designed to foster inclusion, the program welcomes students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds, as well as academic disciplines, promoting intercultural learning and integrative thinking rooted in the destination’s culture, geography, and history. To enhance accessibility, the program includes financial support, offering guaranteed scholarships for Pell Grant recipients, making international experiences more attainable for all students.”