Central OC Times

The University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) is set to lead the next phase of the California Alliance for Minority Participation (CAMP), a program aimed at increasing the number of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) fields. Since its inception in 1991, CAMP has significantly boosted STEM enrollment and degree attainment among these groups across nine undergraduate campuses within the University of California system.

The National Science Foundation has awarded $2.5 million to continue supporting CAMP's initiatives. These include summer research scholarships, graduate school application preparation courses, faculty mentorships, and other programmatic elements designed to diversify the STEM workforce. The project also involves research on effective practices for student success in STEM disciplines.

Two lead investigators from UC Irvine are central to this effort: Pheather R. Harris, program director of campus CAMP, and Derek Dunn-Rankin, professor emeritus of mechanical and aerospace engineering and faculty director of campus CAMP. "CAMP has had decades of impactful success in diversifying STEM fields," said Dyonne Bergeron, UC Irvine vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion.

With support from various UC departments and collaboration with community colleges across California, this new phase aims to facilitate pathways for diverse community college students transferring to UC campuses for STEM degrees. The initiative will be coordinated through a systemwide core that connects partner campuses via an annual research symposium and a shared portal accessible by multiple stakeholders.

The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) is investing an additional $3 million over three years into this initiative. UC President Michael V. Drake serves as principal investigator on the NSF grant with Yvette Gullatt as co-principal investigator. "The collaboration between UCOP and UC Irvine is incredibly important," Harris stated.

UC Irvine continues its commitment to academic excellence as a leading public university known for its innovation and research achievements.