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Biology Mentorship Program Wins STEM Diversity Award

Millersville wins award for promoting the academic success and strong sense of community among underrepresented minority students majoring in biology.

Millersville University’s Biology Mentorship Program (BMP) won an Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine. This accomplishment is evidence of the hard work being done to increase representation of all kinds of students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields (STEM).

Biology mentors picnic

The BMP is a growing campus initiative aimed at promoting the academic success and strong sense of community among underrepresented minority students majoring in biology. The program provides academic and social support via peer-mentoring and faculty guidance to encourage and celebrate scholarship, scientific identity, strength of community and engagement in the department and University. The peer mentors are themselves underrepresented students with demonstrated success in a biology major. The BMP currently provides 18-20 hours of mentor-guided Open Study each week to assist program participants with their coursework, exam preparation and study habits.

The BMP was created and launched last fall by Dr. Brent Horton, an assistant biology professor, with campus-wide support from several members of the faculty, staff and administration.

“The award is a testament to the hard work, dedication and potential of the BMP peer mentors and program participants. In addition, this national recognition helps validate the great potential of this newly established program,” says Horton.

The Inspiring Programs in STEM Award recognizes colleges, universities and organizations for programs that are improving access to STEM fields for students from underrepresented groups. This award is presented to institutions whose programs inspire a new generation of young people to consider STEM careers as well as support working professionals in these fields. These remarkable initiatives are making a significant difference by providing mentoring, academic and professional support, hands-on activities, research opportunities and more.

To learn more about the program, including the times and locations of BMP sponsored events, students can contact the program director, Dr. Brent Horton brent.horton@millersville.edu, or the lead mentor, Latese Evans laevans1@millersville.edu.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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