In 2021, UMKC received a multi-year grant to fund a STEM workforce preparation pipeline of new educational pathways for undergraduate students. This project, titled Equity-Forward Workforce Development Pipeline for Naval STEM Superiority, is designed to increase the quantity, quality, and diversity of students who engage in undergraduate research experiences (URE), both on-campus and with Department of Navy industry partners and national labs. Through Research Skills Training (RST) courses, STEM-interested students experience hands-on technical and career preparation and have opportunities for customized internship and career programming.

In this project, the UERC’s role is to collect and examine formative data each semester to examine implementation fidelity, reach, and challenges, as well as changes in students’ research knowledge, skills, and interest in and pursuit of STEM internships and careers. At the conclusion of the project period, a final summative report will be completed to provide program leaders and stakeholders a multi-faceted view of the overall impact and efficacy of the program.