Innovative UC program opens doors for first-gen students

“The main goal here is integrating first-gen students in our research culture at UC early, to help build a community of researchers who support each other,” White says. “The key here is interaction with other students and faculty, both of which help improve retention and the overall college experience.”

In addition to day-to-day challenges associated with acclimating to college study and culture, first generation college students face additional barriers—among them can be lack of support from family and peers, college preparedness, racial disparity and financial stability.

The value of undergraduate research in training future scientists is well documented, White notes in his funding proposal for the program. But a gap remains in participation by first-generation students, with the largest barriers being understanding the process for getting involved in academic research, knowing its value, and financial support.

Funded by the Chemical Measurements and Imaging Program at the National Science Foundation, the Pathways program seeks to address each of the barriers, through information and training workshops, mentor networks, professional development and financial stipends.

Students in the program conduct research in UC labs during the first year, and receive stipends. During the second year of the program, students do research for class credit to satisfy their capstone requirements. White says the hope is that as new cohorts enter the program, current students can get involved as mentors.

Rice, who is currently taking classes to earn her master’s degree in nursing, was introduced to the pathways program through UC’s Gen-1 program. The Gen-1 program is among the nation’s first living-learning communities supporting Pell-eligible, first-generation students in their transition to college life, and throughout their college careers.

“I got involved with the pathways program because the director of Gen-1 let me know about it, and got me connected with Ryan White,” Rice says. “I was most excited about getting experience in a new field. Being someone that was interested in research but unsure how to get involved, this program was the perfect scenario for me. I was excited to gain new skills, mentorship, and network.”

Chase Dietz is a senior double-majoring in chemistry and biological sciences, and found himself paired with chemistry professor In-Kwon Kim conducting biochemical research. “A lot of the research I do involves measuring the kinetic activity of enzymes. Effectively, we measure the tiny amounts of light produced by enzymes that are modified to fluoresce when they come within reach of each other and react.”

Says Dietz of the experience so far: “It’s been great meeting other first-gen students in the program who have had similar experiences as myself who are passionate about science and research.”

Having transferred to UC during the height of the pandemic, when classes were mainly remote and social activities closely curtailed, Dietz says he appreciates the community-building aspect of the program. “I didn’t make many friends my first few semesters at UC, but the social activities we do as a group really made everyone fast friends.”

Deehan agrees that collaboration is an important part of the program, citing her bio-sensor focused research in White’s lab. “The awesome thing is that there is open communication and collaboration within the lab, and with other labs and departments, on a daily basis, so you’re never working alone,” she says.

“One project you might be working with a synthesis lab, and another project might involve collaboration with an electrochemical engineering lab. The interdisciplinary approach to the world of research is so important,” she says, “and this program has been able to show me that.”

Collaboration and community-building are important components of the program, according to White, and the students meet up for gatherings once per month—outside the world of science and the labs—for activities like trivia nights, group outings, end-of-semester celebrations, professional development sessions and meals.

“Free food is always nice for a poor college kid,” says Dietz, “so it’s nice that almost every event has a meal. The social events are great too, because they create an environment that makes it easy to get to know each other better. As for the professional development opportunities, they’re invaluable … one certifying us to safely do research in a lab, and another simply telling us how to do good research, and how to deal with any doubts or fears we have as young researchers.”

As NSF funding continues, so will the pathway program, and White says he hopes to expand it in the future. “Right now, we have about 25 students interested in being part of the fall cohort, which is very exciting,” he says. “We have reached students through advertising, but even more excitingly through personal recommendations by the current cohort.

“In some regards, the program is exceeding my expectations, especially in the community-building aspect,” White says. “It feels like we have a cohort that cares about each other as people, and that is important to me.”

Featured image at top: UC master's candidate and Pathway to Undergraduate Research program participant Brittany Rice works in the laboratory. Photo/Provided