Inclusion in ³Υ°Ώ³’΄‘ΈιΓ‰ Institute offers Wichita State opportunity to enhance its research capabilities

  • Wichita State is one of 21 universities selected for the ³Υ°Ώ³’΄‘ΈιΓ‰ Institute, funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation Growing Research Access for Nationally Transformative Equity and Diversity initiative.
  • The program is intended to broaden STEM participation and cultivate new research work forces at Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ is participating in the ³Υ°Ώ³’΄‘ΈιΓ‰ Institute as part of a project to build research capabilities and expand STEM initiatives for Hispanic-Serving Institutions. 

³Υ°Ώ³’΄‘ΈιΓ‰ Institute participants, chosen from an application process, will engage in a series of activities designed to enhance skills and boost the ability to compete for funding while elevating the research enterprise.  

β€œWe are grateful to have been chosen by the to participate in the first cohort of theβ€―³Υ°Ώ³’΄‘ΈιΓ‰β€―Institute,” said Coleen Pugh, dean of the Graduate School. β€œWe consider this an important step to attaining our HSI goals, while also contributing ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½β€™s expertise to the program.” 

Pugh will join Rhonda Lewis, professor and graduate coordinator in the Department of Psychology, and Sara Mata, executive director of Hispanic Serving Initiatives, to participate in a virtual program beginning Sept. 20. The program continues, with both virtual and in-person meetings, until July 2025. 

The virtual and in-person events are designed to help universities: 

  • develop and implement a systematic research enterprise framework.
  • form and strengthen regional consortia to share resources and expertise.
  • pilot new strategies for research enterprise sustainability and growth.

The ³Υ°Ώ³’΄‘ΈιΓ‰ Institute β€” β€œVisioning, Organizing, Leading, and Advancing the Research Enterprise at HSIs” β€” is made possible through a grant from the National Science Foundation.  

Wichita State is an emerging Hispanic-Serving Institution, with 17 percent of its students identifying as Hispanic as of 2023-24. Participation in the ³Υ°Ώ³’΄‘ΈιΓ‰ Institute will enhance ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½β€™s research goals, including achieving . 

β€œWe hope the exchange of ideas with theβ€―³Υ°Ώ³’΄‘ΈιΓ‰ Cohort I will help us make institutional changes to create more equitable and collaborative work and educational environmentsβ€―that are conducive to retaining and empowering our faculty researchers,” Pugh said.


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