Programs for Students from Under-represented Groups

Northern Arizona University ranks fifth in the nation for graduating Native Americans with bachelor’s degrees, according to Black Issues in Higher Education. It also ranked the university 61st for graduating Latinos with bachelor’s degrees. “Northern Arizona University has always been committed to recruiting and retaining minority and first-generation students, and this ranking demonstrates that our efforts are paying off,” says President John Haeger. “We will continue in this direction so that our student population reflects the diversity of Arizona and the Southwest.”

• Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP)
  The nationally recognized Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals acts as a catalyst among tribal governments, research and technical resources at the university, various federal, state and local governments, and the private sector, in support of environmental protection of Native American natural resources. ITEP offers summer internships, funded by the U.S. EPA, to provide hands-on training with the EPA or other governmental or tribal environmental offices. This 10-week internship offers a $4,000 stipend. (more info)
• The MARCU*STAR Program at Northern Arizona University is funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with the goal of increasing the number of well-trained students from underrepresented groups who enter research careers in biomedical research. (more info)
• The Minority Student Development Program (MSD) is funded by the National Institute of Health (NIH) to increase the academic performance, retention, and graduation rates of underrepresented minority students, who are or could become interested in careers in biomedical professions. (more info)
• National Institutes of Health Minority Student Development Program
  The National Institutes of Health have funded Northern Arizona University students since 1998 to help increase the academic performance, retention, and graduation rates of under-represented minorities, especially Native Americans, who are interested in careers in biomedical sciences. Undergraduate minority students have participated in research with faculty in the life, health, engineering, and physical sciences. Of this group, 83% have entered graduate programs. (more info)
• Native American Student Services (NASS)
  NASS is committed to providing culturally-sensitive support services to our Native American and Alaskan Native students as part of the university's mission. Our emphasis is on serving first-year freshmen and transfer students and providing assistance with the transition from home to the university community. Find more information on scholarships and other opportunities at their website. (more info)
  
• Native American Undergraduate Research Awards
  With the support of the John and Sophie Ottens Foundation, the university has initiated a research awards program to encourage first-year Native American students to consider careers in health-related professions and scientific research. Students are teamed with faculty for a 15-month period encompassing two summers and one academic year to experience and conduct research. (more info)
• Ottens Undergraduate Research Grant for Native Americans
  The John and Sophie Ottens Foundation provides scholarships to Native American freshmen studying health and environmental sciences. Ottens scholars are matched with faculty mentors and participate in hands-on research over a 15-month period. Participating students gain experience in conducting scientific research and receive academic and career counseling through NAU's Native American Student Services Office. (more info)
• Undergraduate Mentoring in Environmental Biology (UMEB)
  Participate in some of the most important regional work on environmental issues in the country! Funded by the National Science Foundation, our UMEB program provides opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research related to human impacts on ecosystems of the Colorado Plateau. Students take a two-semester course on scientific research methods and practices. During the second semester, they select a faculty mentor and spend the following summer working on research with their mentor. Research topics include the ecological impacts of global climate change, environmental impacts of livestock grazing, the effects of forest management on stream ecology, and other important regional issues. (more info)
• Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research (U*STAR)
  Since 2002, the National Institutes of Health Minority Access to Research Careers Program has funded U*STAR at Northern Arizona University. Through faculty-mentored research, U*STAR’s goal is to increase the pool of talented undergraduates who are well prepared academically, have research experience and competence, and are motivated to apply to graduate programs leading to the PhD or MD in the biomedical sciences. (more info)

Minority Student Development Program at Northern Arizona University

At NAU, our goals are to increase the academic performance, retention, and graduation rates of underrepresented students, who are or who could become interested in research careers in biomedical sciences. As a result of the Minority Student Development Program, we hope to increase rates of acceptance into and completion of post-graduate degree programs in biomedical sciences at NAU, as well as at other institutions across the nation.

The MSD Program includes research participation, academic enrichment, academic support and faculty development activities. The specific aims of the MSD program are:

• to provide opportunities for underrepresented students to become involved in biomedical research projects with selected NAU faculty (35 total). Students will be encouraged to give presentations on their research at national meetings and to publish the results of their research in peer-reviewed journals.
• to implement academic enrichment programs for underrepresented students that will strengthen their academic performance in gatekeeper courses in science and mathematics. Continuing activities include Supplemental Instruction, faculty-led recitations and readiness testing. We also offer a course, “Skills for Science” which targets students who wish to improve their grades in gatekeeper courses.
• to maintain an academic support system for underrepresented students. This support system will include a central meeting place where students can meet with academic advisors and Supplemental Instruction leaders. Through this support system, academic advisors will provide academic advisement and personal counseling for MSD students and provide them with information about research participation and academic enrichment opportunities that are provided by the MSD program.
• to provide professional development for faculty who teach gatekeeper courses in biomedical sciences. Faculty will reform their courses by using new models of teaching that facilitate increased learning by underrepresented students.

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Program Director: Kiisa.Nishikawa@nau.edu (523-9497)
Program Administrator: Karen.Patterson@nau.edu (523-8102)

Other Graduate Programs:

NSF IGERT:
Maribeth.Watwood@nau.edu (523-2381), Amy.Whipple@nau.edu (523-8727)

Native American Cancer Research Partnership
Diane.Stearns@nau.edu (523-4460)

Undergraduate Programs:

MARC: Fernando.Monroy@nau.edu (523-0042)
NSF UMEB: Nancy.Johnson@nau.edu (523-6473)