Scheduled for Research Coordinating Board Poster Session I, Wednesday, March 31, 2004, 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM, Convention Center: Exhibit Hall Poster Session


Evaluation of the 2003 Santa Fe Community College Health Careers Opportunity Program (HCOP)

Robert Lindsey, College of Charleston, Charleston, SC

Santa Fe Community College is an open admissions, degree granting public two-year institution established by the State of Florida in 1965. For the past three years, SFCC has been administering a HCOP grant for 5 targeted Health Sciences programs. The purpose of the HCOP grant is to increase the representation of minorities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds in specific Health Sciences education programs by targeting these groups for recruitment, enrollment and graduation. The grant incorporates a Summer Institute, Orientation, Academic Advisement, Mentoring, Counseling, and Shadowing. The Summer Institute serves as the backbone of the HCOP program. The Institute offers the students a 6-week intensive enrichment program in the biological and physical sciences, mathematics, critical thinking skills, and other areas. Students rated the summer institute in terms of stating what was to be learned, motivating, providing guidance and structure, providing appropriate practice activities, giving appropriate feedback, and enabling participants to evaluate learning experience. Scores indicated that the summer institute was successful in helping the students on these items. Scores for the orientation indicated that the orientation was successful in introducing the students to the program. Scores for the career shadowing experience indicated that the shadowing of future professionals is essential to the success of the program. Comments on the Summer Institute include: "The speakers were Uplifting, overcoming obstacles, inspirational, and I liked how he persevered through what happened in his life. Other comments from the students include: "I liked meeting all different types of people that are willing to help you graduate in your program; I met a lot important resource people and met a lot of new friends that will also be important to my success. and it gave you a chance to experience different aspects of health. Through the HCOP grant, the college remains committed to increasing higher education opportunities for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

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