The University of Arizona (UA) is a research-intensive institution with a strong record of
supporting diverse students. It is an American Indian and Alaska Native-Serving Institution
(AIANSI) and was recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) in 2018. The goal of the
Initiatives for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) program is to build our under-
represented (UR) students’ sense of belonging, self-efficacy and science identity. To meet this
goal, IMSD trainees enroll as a cohort in a one-unit success course in the first year, and engage
in individualized and cohort-based professional development and career readiness activities. UA
IMSD will utilize a new Annual Review to create a personalized academic and research plan for
each trainee and mentor. IMSD mentors will engage in inclusive mentoring workshops to
support their ability to work with their trainees. IMSD scholars are immersed in a tiered
mentoring system and receive support from the IMSD PI/Co-Is, staff, faculty, their dissertation
advisor, the Director of Graduate Studies of their program, and peer mentors. NIH funding will
be used to support program staff, first year student stipends, the success course, and
social/professional development opportunities. In recent years, IMSD has provided opportunities
to other UR biomedical sciences students who would benefit from the program. In this proposal,
we will create an engaged community of biomedical research scholars comprised of 12 NIH-
funded IMSD trainees and additional UR graduate students in the biomedical sciences.
Furthermore, IMSD leadership has been expanded to include campus leaders with faculty
appointments in diversity, administration, and education who will serve as mentors and role
models. We seek to develop IMSD trainees who will be scientists, researchers and leaders in
their field. Our goal is to be the premier institution in the Southwest for supporting diverse
students in the Biomedical Sciences.