MCH Leadership, Education, and Advancement in Undergraduate Pathways Program - The U-LEAP for MCH: Undergraduate Leadership, Education, and Advancement Program for Maternal and Child Health at UNC Charlotte aims to enhance undergraduate students' education and professional development training in maternal and child health with the ultimate goal of strengthening the MCH workforce. As a university with a growing undergraduate student population and a central geographical location with access to a large segment of the Carolinas' rural and medically underserved MCH landscape, UNC Charlotte is an ideal location to host this training program. Developing professional pathways for students to serve MCH populations is especially important in North Carolina, where, compared to national averages, there are higher rates of inadequate prenatal care, maternal mortality, and infant mortality. Additionally, North Carolina's childcare gap is nearly double the national average, and mental health outcomes have been worsening for moms and children. Equipping trainees with the skills to respond to MCH public health and healthcare needs in the region is critical. The U-LEAP program will serve 150 students from all backgrounds with focused recruitment from undergraduate programs in public health, health systems management, social work, nursing, exercise science, psychology, sociology, education, biology, anthropology, and engineering. Guided by a team of interdisciplinary MCH content experts on campus and an advisory committee of MCH professionals, the project team will offer specialized MCH training that is otherwise not formalized on campus. The primary goals of the project are to A) recruit and retain interdisciplinary students with MCH interests, B) educate interdisciplinary students on MCH topics, C) develop and deliver experiential learning opportunities, D) provide professional development and mentorship, and E) expand and strengthen partnerships with MCH organizations to support rural and medically underserved populations. To do this effectively, two undergraduate courses will be developed and delivered to provide foundational MCH knowledge and skills to meet local workforce needs. The integration of MCH throughout the undergraduate curriculum will be facilitated by developing an MCH Partner Directory that features content and practice experts whom faculty can invite as guest lecturers or course project partners. Experiential learning is an important opportunity for skill development and practice. The project team will formalize partnerships with MCH organizations and Title V programs in the region and fund MCH internships for 5 trainees annually. Using the innovative simulation lab space in the College of Health and Human Services, trainees will engage in annual interdisciplinary simulations on MCH topics throughout the project period. U-LEAP Core Faculty will coordinate local MCH immersion trips across the state to enable trainees to observe the broader MCH workforce and build professional networks that support rural or underserved populations. To retain and foster a sense of belonging, leadership, and career readiness among students, an MCH Professional Pathways program will be established to offer formalized MCH mentorship experiences, student success support, special-topics presentations and workshops, career panels, resume reviews, and networking activities. Tuition scholarships, access to advanced training, and conference attendance will be supported with program funds. The U-LEAP program will train the next generation of the MCH workforce through interdisciplinary coursework, tailored mentorship and professional development, and experiential learning opportunities (e.g., simulated learning experiences, internships, and field trips) supported in partnership with MCH-related organizations in the region. Through these efforts, the project will contribute to a robust MCH workforce that addresses ongoing public health challenges and improves health outcomes for mothers, children, and families.
