Planning Forward to Create an Undergraduate Research Center (URC) at a Community College

Mount San Antonio College, Walnut CA

Investigators

Abstract

The award from the Chemistry Division supports an Undergraduate Research Center (URC) planning grant. The PI is Iraj B. Nejad, assisted by co-PI, Jenny S. Chen. Mount San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), a two-year institution, will partner with the University of California at Los Angeles, Occidental College, and California State University at Los Angeles to pilot a program that provides research opportunities for Mt. SAC students at these partner institutions. A bridging program will be developed that includes a multi-level recruitment strategy, student orientation and preparation, mentorship, student support at the research institutions, a Mt. SAC Conference Day and presentation of research results, and program evaluation. The PIs will develop a freshman-level "Orientation to Research" workshop and a sophomore "Introduction to Research" course in collaboration with faculty at the four-year institutions. Collaborative research projects will be developed to encompass more students and allow them to experience a smooth transition to a four-year institution. The planning period will be used to develop further partnerships with two-year and four-year institutions and federal laboratories leading to development of a undergraduate research center that will provide research opportunities for community college students at the partner schools.