The Clackamas print., November 26, 2014, Page 5, Image 5

T H E C L A C K A M A S P R IN T
| N O V. 26, 2014
J V O L . 48 IS S U E 7
Grant promotes diversity in
science research
by Megan McCoy
lackamas Community College has partnered with Portland State
University for a $24 million grant promoting diversity in research.
science instructor, explained the way the grant works over the course of a student’s
four-year degree.
The grant is from the National Institute of Health and according
to a press release from spokeswoman Janet Paulson, the money
will help underrepresented and diverse students pursue careers in
‘health sciences, social or clinical research, biomedical, behavioral and other health
sciences. Students of Alaskan Native, African American, Hispanic, American Indian,
and Pacific Island heritage will be supported with the grant as well as students with
disabilities, economic disadvantages or a history of foster care.
“In the freshmen year, [we] make sure that they have an adviser, student support
services and multicultural support to make sure the environment is good for the stu­
dents,” Altman said. Blackwell also added that the first year is to make sure that stu­
dents have a good foundation in their classes to be prepared as they move forward.
Between the first and second year, and the second and third year there are summer
institutes that students can attend.
■
CCC’s portion of the grant is about $235,522 and will be distributed over the course
of each qualifying student’s four-year degree process. The grant will cover costs for
dedicated advising, financial aid advising, summer institutes, peer mentoring, re­
search training and direct financial support. It is not dear yet what the direct financial
support will help with, but it could be tuition, fees, o r books.
Matthew Altman, the Associate Dean of Arts and Science, and Tory Blackwell, a
“This is really a time for them to get more research exposure rather than dassroom
exposure to sdence,” Blackwell said. The locations of the institutes are still being de­
termined but it can be assumed that most of them will take place at PSU.
Altman explained that during the second year at CCC, students will need to take a
“gateway course.” He said that the gateway course is undetermined at the moment
but it will be a dass that will fit in with the courses that are already offered.
After the first two years arecompleted at CCC, stu­
dents will transfer to PSU and finish their degrees.
The last part of the grant takes place in between the
third and fourth year.
“The intent is to have students working in paid re­
search labs as part of this experience.” Altman said.
At that point it is undedded how the student appli­
cation process for the grant will w ork Altman said
the application will probably look similar to schol­
arship applications, but it is undear whether or not
it will be attached to the scholarship process that
already exists at CCC.
Blackwell and Altman both suggest that students
who qualify and have already started working to­
ward their four-year degree get in contact with
them. Altman said that even if it’s too early to in­
dude students in the grant, the school will still find
other ways to help.
If you think you qualify for the grant, contact
Mathew Altman at 503-594-3112 or Tory
Blackwell at 503-594-3646.
Instructor Tory Blackwell, right, teaches his biology class on Thursday, Nov. 20, in the Pauling building.
Photo by Auriana C odi