The Bridge Program for Undergraduates
Bridge programs have demonstrated success at increasing recruitment and retention of BIPOC students from high school to college and from bachelors to Ph.D. (Brady A & Gallant D, 2021; Stassun et al., 2018). However, there are few programs that focus on bridging students into Master’s programs, despite the fact that a thesis based MS program may be a stepping stone into not only a Ph.D. program, but also into valuable careers in academia, industry, government and NGO’s, all career paths in need of a diversified workforce. A bridge program from undergraduate into an MS program can educate students about the variety of career opportunities available and provide steppingstones into a broad array of post-graduate training life options.
The Sloan MITSI Bridge Program seeks to expand upon existing collaborations between NAU’s main campus, Diné College, and NAU Yuma to facilitate successful student transitions from their undergraduate program into careers and/or graduate school in STEM. Students will be introduced to STEM career pathways including professionals with graduate degrees and similar cultural, ethnic and racial backgrounds. They will also be given guidance and instruction in selecting, applying, and seeking funding for graduate programs as well as career options.
We will offer two courses to undergraduates interested in graduate career pathways: BIO 498 (Fall semester): Graduate Career Pathway Preparation. The long-term goal of this course is to prepare students to apply to graduate programs and/or jobs in STEM. Students will 1) learn about the different pathways to successful careers in STEM, 2) develop an individual development plan, 3) learn how to search for graduate programs and job opportunities, 4) put together a CV or resume, 5) identify specific opportunities for applications, 6) write a cover letter and personal statement for their preferred opportunity, and 7) submit or be prepared to submit an application by the end of the course.
BIO 498 (Spring semester): Preparing for graduate studies. Those students applying to graduate programs will take this course to prepare for the rigors of graduate studies. The goals will be to introduce students to the tools and skills need to thrive in graduate studies.
Those who are accepted into MITSI and/or enroll in STEM graduate programs at NAU will be paired with a faculty or partnering industry mentors in their field who have demonstrated experience in successfully training BIPOC graduate students. During the Spring semester of their senior year, they will get to know the literature associated with their mentor’s work and will begin to formulate their potential project. After graduation from their respective undergraduate institutions, those who are enrolled in the MITSI program will come to Flagstaff during the summer for a two-week, hands-on, paid research or internship experience with their mentor.
This bridge program will start with a two-day retreat to build bonds among participants and will culminate in a celebration symposium where they will present their work for peers, mentors, family, and friends. The summer program will also include experiential learning and professional development with trips to potential employers, other graduate programs, and cultural sites. At the end of the summer program, students will transition into Master’s programs at NAU with the same mentors.
Apply here
Applications due by January 15th