Examination of an Undergraduate Research Program for Students of Color with Recommendations for Future Assessments
Enrollment for students of color in graduate programs has increased within the past two decades, but statistics show that they are still underrepresented. Numerous interventions have been established to promote enrollment among underrepresented students. One common intervention has been through the development of undergraduate research programs. Research programs for students of color were implemented in an effort to assist undergraduate students better prepare for graduate school. As these programs continue to service the academic community, evaluations must be performed to validate the success. However, as evaluations are conducted, few assessments measure the effectiveness of the actual evaluation. This study will summarize the past 20 years of service to students of color who participated in an undergraduate research program. There will be insight and suggestions provided for future evaluation efforts based on the review of the practices of three comparable programs across the country. Focus on alumni tracking systems will be used to provide recommendations for quality methods to maintain successful contact with alumni; ensuring more accurate evaluations of the program.
School:
California State University, Dominguez Hills
Department:
Psychology
Research Advisor:
Helen Neville
Department of Research Advisor:
Educational Psychology
Year of Publication:
2006