Pueblo -- For the third time in the last month, Colorado State University - Pueblo has been the recipient of grant dollars to help underserved and minority students pursue their educational goals. This week, CSU-Pueblo was awarded a three-year, $320,335 grant to help minority students interested in biomedical careers make the transition from a community college to a four-year institution.

The Bridges to Biomedical Sciences grant entitled "CSU-Pueblo Puente Project: Bridges to Biomedical Careers" from the National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Science will include partnerships between CSU-Pueblo and Pueblo Community College, Trinidad State Junior College, and Pikes Peak Community College. Through the grant, the university hopes to improve the retention and graduation rates among underrepresented minority students in Southeastern Colorado, and to increase matriculation and graduation rates of minority students pursuing careers in the sciences at the region's community colleges and CSU-Pueblo.

The main focus of the program is a yearly five-week summer session of scientific workshops, lectures, field trips, skill-building sessions, and team-building exercises. The summer sessions will conclude with a Cancer Symposium and Training at the University of Colorado Comprehensive Cancer Center.

According to Dr. Janna McLean, chair of the biology department and program director for the grant, the activities will establish a collaborative approach to the challenge of ensuring the success of Hispanic/minority students, particularly those who transfer from regional community colleges to the university in programs that lead to biomedical research careers. This pipeline project allows CSU-Pueblo to continue to establish links with the two-year colleges in Southern Colorado, not just with transferring students, but with the two-year college faculty, who will be offered training and support so they can better prepare students for the summer sessions.

In the last month, CSU-Pueblo has received $800,000 to prepare veterans of the armed forces to enter and succeed in college, $562,000 to provide academic services for students in rural areas, and a partnership grant with Pueblo's East High School to mentor students into post secondary education.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is a regional, comprehensive university emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and outreach, CSU-Pueblo is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality of services provided to its students.