Abstract
Background and purposeAs part of the NIH BUILD initiative to diversify the scientific workforce, the EXITO project is a large multi-institutional effort to provide comprehensive support and training for undergraduates from traditionally underrepresented student populations who aspire to health-related research careers. Portland State University, a major public urban university that prioritizes student access and opportunity, and Oregon Health & Science University, a research-intensive academic health center, lead the EXITO network comprised of eleven 2-year and 4-year institutions of higher education spanning Oregon, Washington, Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands. The EXITO project aims for impact in biomedical research by training diverse scholars from indigenous and underserved communities affected by adverse health disparities.Project approachGuided by socio-ecological theory, the EXITO project is a multi-level intervention offering a three-year research training pathway for scholars in the biomedical, behavioral, health, and social sciences. Fundamental components of the model include student outreach and engagement, integrated curricular enhancements, intensive research experiences, multi-faceted developmental mentoring, supportive community and services, and rigorous evaluation and quality improvement. EXITO also advances faculty and institutional development in these domains by holding curriculum development conferences, creating research learning communities, awarding pilot project research funding, providing mentor training and ongoing support, collaborating with other research equity programs, and developing campus infrastructure and services to support scholars with diverse backgrounds and needs.HighlightsThe large and geographically broad network of EXITO institutions engages a range of diverse students, including indigenous populations and students beginning post-secondary education at community colleges. The EXITO model specifically accommodates many students transferring from 2-year partner institutions and facilitates seamless transfer to the 4-year institution. EXITO features several approaches to research training, including supported summer entry into research placements, the incorporation of responsible conduct of research content into general education curriculum, and the intentional matching of scholars with three types of mentors (e.g., peer, career, research).ImplicationsEXITO provides an example of a comprehensive research training initiative for traditionally underrepresented students that can be implemented across a diverse range of 2-year and 4-year institutions.
Highlights
Background and purposeAs part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Building University Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) initiative to diversify the scientific workforce, the Enhancing Cross-disciplinary Infrastructure and Training at Oregon (EXITO) project is a large multi-institutional effort to provide comprehensive support and training for undergraduates from traditionally underrepresented student populations who aspire to health-related research careers
One key strategy is to promote the scientific training of individuals who reflect and represent the diverse communities most affected by adverse health outcomes [1, 2]
Recognizing the need to address the issue of underrepresentation in the social, biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences [4], the National Institutes of Health (NIH) established the Building University Infrastructure Leading to Diversity (BUILD) initiative with ten grantees nationwide [6]
Summary
The U.S faces staggering racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic health disparities. As population demographics shift, it is critical that the health research workforce responds with innovative approaches to address and eliminate health disparities. In addition to this multiple mentor model, EXITO provides scholars with a range of advising services and a network of social support [42], including a plan for engaging families [29] We believe this provision of structured support will achieve project goals and facilitate our ability to meet the overarching BUILD Hallmarks of Success (see Fig. 4). Continue trajectory to graduate education aTimeline indicates when program components are introduced, many of which are ongoing bSummer induction can serve as a bridge for transfer students entering a 4-year partner institution at this point undergraduates are well-documented [50,51,52,53,54,55,56], with recent studies highlighting how they build research preparedness among undergraduates [57,58,59] These benefits are especially significant for traditionally underrepresented students, both women and racial/ethnic minorities, and for those lacking adequate support systems, as these students tend to rate themselves lower on research self-efficacy [58]. A goal of EXITO is to engage a wide cross-section of first year undergraduates in courses that introduce them to scientific concepts
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