Program Benefits

While at Pima Community College...

1. Series of seminars to expand career choices
Three fall and two spring semester career seminars will be offered. Attendance will be required of all participants and faculty members. Invited speakers will discuss research and career opportunities.

2. Summer employment in teaching or laboratory
Students who complete their PCC program without recourse to summer school courses will be offered placement in summer positions after the completion of their first (or second) year in Futurebound. Placements will be as a peer mentor or peer tutor or in a career related position at the UA or local industry.

3. A research experience at the UA
The research internship will provide students with research experience at the UA. Placements will be organized in the preceding spring in conjunction with the preparatory course at PCC. Students will be placed in pairs in individual labs whenever possible in order to provide mutual support and a springboard for discussion of the research experience. Students will convene weekly for one hour at UA in a research seminar to present their findings and reflect on their research experience.

While at the University of Arizona...

1. Connections with employment opportunities in science and engineering programs on and off campus
Students will have access to a Virtual Job Bank containing information on paid part time work opportunities in the targeted fields on campus and in the local community.

2. Mentoring services to enhance students' use of academic and personal support services on the UA campus.
A special orientation will be held for transfer students who are women of color. Students will be guided to develop a "community" of mentors that includes faculty, professionals on and off campus, and graduate students while still being involved in peer support group networks. Many support services exist at the UA for students of color, including Minority Student Services and programs for African American, American Indian and Asian Pacific Students.

3. Awards for special projects and professional participation
Students will be offered travel grants to attend professional meetings and visit potential graduate schools. The program will also focus on recognizing outstanding achievement among the Futurebound student community.

4. Peer tutoring and peer study groups
Peer tutorship will be offered to outstanding students so that they can assist other students in specific courses. In the process the student will gain invaluable teaching experience. Tutors will conduct regular sessions, engage collaborative learning approaches as possible, meet with faculty for whose classes they are tutoring and focus on problem solving techniques. Peer study groups will meet on a regular basis and will provide a support network and community for transfer students.