BUILDING INFRASTRUCTURE LEADING TO DIVERSITY PROGRAM AT XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA, PROJECT PATHWAYS.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Sciences
• Higher Education
• Diversity and Inclusion

Background:

• Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA) is the sole historically Black and Catholic institution of higher education in the U.S.
• XULA aims to promote a just and humane society through education in a diverse environment.
• The university attracts high-achieving students but also supports those needing additional preparation due to socioeconomic disparities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To increase the number of students entering graduate programs in biomedical disciplines.
• To enhance the success rates of students earning terminal degrees in biomedical fields.
• To boost the diversity of the biomedical research workforce through targeted interventions.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of Project Pathways, a National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded program.
• A holistic approach integrating student support services (SASO, OCS, CURGO) and faculty development (CAT+FD).
• Systematic provision of early career awareness, supportive relationships, infrastructure, and research experiences for underrepresented minorities.

Main Results:

• Preliminary assessments indicate encouraging results.
• Higher course pass rates observed among participating students.
• Improved overall student preparation for advanced studies and research.

Conclusions:

• Integrated programming across academic, support, and research initiatives is crucial for student success.
• Project Pathways demonstrates a successful model for increasing diversity in the biomedical research workforce.
• The program's initiatives are replicable at other institutions with similar diversity goals.