VCU LEAP A College Prep and Health Sciences

VCU LEAP: A College Prep and Health Sciences Pipeline Initiative Lisa Webb, Ed. D. Debbie Roberts, M. Ed.

Learning Excellence in Academics Program LEAP: A Community Engaged Program Virginia Commonwealth University The Virginia Rehabilitation Center for the Blind and Vision Impaired Capital Area Health Education Center

Virginia Commonwealth University We are a premier urban, public research university focused on academic success. We take pride in our nationally ranked academic programs and academic medical center, research and scholarly productivity, and engagement with the communities we serve and change.

The Health Sciences Campus Our campus is home to five health sciences schools: ● Allied Health Professions ● Dentistry ● Medicine ● Nursing ● Pharmacy We serve over 4, 000 students in more than 50 degree programs. We are committed to graduating students capable of meeting the commonwealth’s health care needs.

Division for Health Sciences Diversity and the VCU Health Sciences Pipeline VCU Pipeline programs endeavor to increase student diversity within each of the VCU Health Sciences Schools with the purpose of creating a culturally competent healthcare workforce.

The Creation of LEAP • 5 -week college preparatory pipeline program • Students explore STEM-H majors and careers • Assist students to better understand transition from college from high school • Increase personal responsibility, level of expectations, and independent time management

Framework • LEAP students participate in college-level, writing, math, and sciences course taught by VCU professors. • Each week students spend time in Clinical Lab Sciences and School of Engineering

Class Schedule Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Intro to Science 9: 00 -12: 00 Programspecific Events for DBVI and Cap. AHEC - separately 9: 00 -11: 00 am Academic Writing 9: 00 -11: 0012: 00 pm Library Time 12: 00 -1: 00 pm Lunch Lunch 1: 00 -3: 30 pm Intro to Engineering VCU 101 Intro to Science 9: 00 -12: 00 Academic Writing 9: 00 -11: 00 Thursday Myers-Briggs Workshops

Access to the Curriculum • Assistive Technology workshops before and during the program • 3 D printing: blood cells, virus cells, and bacteria • Tactile diagrams Innovation, research and creative expression

Program Evaluation Comparison of Pre and Post Program CDMSE Mean Scores Subscale N Average Pre. Test Score Average Post. Test Score P <. 05 Self-Appraisal 10 3. 84 4. 18 0. 027 Occupational Information 10 3. 96 4. 12 0. 013 Goal Selection 10 4. 13 4. 20 0. 005 Planning 10 3. 74 4. 02 0. 023 Problem Solving 10 4. 17 4. 28 0. 008

VCU LEAP Student Demographics 2015 2016 2017 Gender 2 F; 1 M 5 F; 5 M 7 F; 6 M Low Socioeconomic Status/ First Generation 2 7 8 Disability 3 8 8 Race/Ethnicity AA- 1 C-2 AA- 4 C-5 A- 1 No Disclosure-1 AA- 7 C-4 A- 1 No Disclosure-1 Average H. S. GPA 2. 97 3. 15 3. 09 College/H. S. Enrollment 2: College 1 -Unknown 7 -College 1 - Working 2 - HS 3 - College 1 -Working 7 - HS 2 -Unknown

Future Opportunities • Residential/On-campus housing • Student stipends to incentivize participation • Satellite sites throughout the state to reach rural areas and increase participation

Questions? Lisa Webb, Ed. D. lbwebb@vcu. edu Debbie Roberts, M. Ed. dlroberts@vcu. edu www. das. vcu. edu www. dhsd. vcu. edu