First-Generation Pioneers: Biology RAP (Bio-Pioneers) Fall 2022
Your first year at UMass starts a journey of personal and academic growth. To support this, the Office of Student Success and Diversity within the College of Natural Sciences (CNS) is excited to announce Bio-Pioneers RAP. This is a year-long invitation-only program for students, who are declared life science majors. The program focuses on students called first-generation, which refers to individuals whose parents have not graduated from a four-year institution of higher learning. The Bio-Pioneers RAP is designed to foster a smoother transition to college, a celebration of the first-generation identity, and provide academic and social support as students transition to college. In addition to providing a strong foundation in science the Bio-Pioneers RAP will ensure participants are well-prepared for careers in science and science-related fields through an emphasis on connecting students with undergraduate research experiences.
Bio-Pioneers RAP students will participate in courses designed specifically for this program. Participants will complete the required introductory-level Biology course sequence (Biology 151, Biology 152, and Biology 153) and their first-year seminar in small classes taught in the residential area.
Students in this RAP will also receive support through academic and professional development advising, tutoring (if needed), and dedicated peer collaborators (PCs).
Outside of the classroom, Bio-Pioneers members will engage in campus life through active involvement with the CNS community, such as discussions with first-generation faculty, graduate students, and staff, and social events organized by their PCs including a fall semester kick-off event!
Programming for the Bio-Pioneers RAP will begin one week prior to Fall NSO. All Bio-Pioneers students will move in early to take part in a specialized week-long social and academic orientation.
Students invited to apply to this novel RAP should follow the described procedures in the invitation letter to secure a position.