NARCH XIII-Student Development Program

Indian Health Council, Inc., Valley Center CA

Investigators

Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) students are the least likely of any minoritized group to complete a bachelor's degree and bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree attainment has remained the same or decreased since 2000 in both STEM and non-STEM fields. This is despite AI/AN communities facing some of the largest disparities in health outcomes, thus justifying a critical need to train more AI/AN health scientists to improve health equity. The CA- NARCH SDP was established in 2003 and is a partnership between Indian Health Council (IHC), serving 9 regional tribes, and the academic partners of San Diego State University (SDSU), University of California San Diego (UCSD), California Sate University San Marcos (CSUSM), and Palomar Community College (PCC). Additionally, we are in partnership with All Tribes American Indian Charter School and other local organizations to support high school students who are AI/AN and interested in research to support AI/AN Native communities. The CA-NARCH SDP has significantly addressed gaps in AI/AN academic achievement and has supported >165 students, with >90% being retained in their STEM programs over its 20 year history. Thus far, 14 students have received a PhD, with 16 additional students currently in PhD programs. Thirty-five students have completed masters degrees, and 13 are currently in masters programs. Students are dedicated to working in Indian County and 28 students currently have full time positions in Indian Country; Two students have thus far become faculty members at 4 year universities. The aims of the CA-NARCH SDP include: 1) To engage high school students interested in American Indian/Alaska Native Health to increase their knowledge and their families knowledge of STEM, STEM degrees, and STEM careers to increase matriculation into these areas; 2) Identify and recruit AI/AN students and students interested in AI/AN health in the biomedical and behavioral sciences from community college through graduate school into the CA-NARCH SDP program. 3) Retain AI/AN students and students interested in AI/AN health in their respective higher education programs and develop and enhance their knowledge, skills, science-self efficacy, and persistence to succeed in STEM programs to successfully matriculate into graduate programs; 4) Engage and provide training for AI/AN students and students interested in AI/AN health in biomedical and health research to increase their competitiveness for jobs/graduate school and their likelihood of becoming health/science researchers; 5) Increase the cultural interface and competencies of the CA-NARCH students and encourage AI/AN community engagement and trust in research. Centered at IHC, the CA-NARCH SDP has established infrastructure with a SDP team, including a full-time native coordinator (Luiseño), and an established presence and leads on the 4 surrounding campuses. Students are recruited from the 4 campuses, AI/AN organizations, local communities, All Tribes American Indian Charter School, and other organizations. Retention methods are multiple and include engaging students in research through existing NIH and NSF funded program, the CA-NARCH Directed Research (CANDR) program with campus and community based research is a summer and/or yearlong research program. Students receive continual mentorship from the CA NARCH SDP team, a peer mentor program that supports high school students. Students will work with their mentor to create individual development plans, and will receive socio-cultural support. Students will all participate in workshops and seminars that will enhance their science skills, provide training in indigenous research methods, and that will expose students to established AI/AN researchers working in AI/AN communities. Cultural interface and community trust in research is enhanced by CA-NARCH SDP team and student presentations at community events and through cultural days. Evaluation of the program includes quantitative and qualitative measures and serves to assess program success and enhancement.