2024 Student Success Funded Proposals

As part of Mizzou’s work to strengthen student success, there was a call for proposals for units could complete to request funding to support efforts that enhance teaching and learning. President Choi and Interim Provost Martens are pleased to announce the 75 proposals which received funding through MizzouForward to enhance student success. An overview of the funded proposals are below. We will provide updates as the units begin to use the funding to enhance student success across our institution.

Department/Unit	Contact Person	Project Overview
Clinical and Diagnostic Science Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound program	Alice Townsend & Kathy Myers	Investment in new technology for the MU Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound (DMU) laboratory in the form of a High-Fidelity Obstetric Ultrasound Simulator to enhance student learning and preparation for the workforce.
Civil & Environmental Engineering	Feng Xiao	This proposal introduces the first environmental engineering lab course for the department, Water Quality Analysis (4240/7240), focusing on vital practical aspects of water analysis, such as alkalinity, hardness, and total dissolved solids (TDS).
Occupational Therapy	Crystal Gateley	The items requested in this proposal are to enhance teaching and learning and to facilitate student success across all cohorts of OTD and OTA students by providing faculty development in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), access to new technology and software for classroom instruction, and updated lab equipment and supplies for hands-on student learning in both our classrooms and on-site pro-bono teaching clinics. Additionally, our department prides itself on the integration of teaching, research, and clinical practice. The requested technology will increase opportunities for student engagement in clinical and educational research projects with department faculty as well as expand opportunities for capstone and baccalaureate projects.
Honors College	Michelle Teti	This proposal targets the “enhancement in student success” objective of the Mizzou Forward grant and seeks one-time funding to help all MU students pursuing medical careers with the addition of a 1-credit MCAT course.
Geological Sciences	Jim Schiffbauer	We propose to integrate ML/AI approaches into the MU geological sciences course curriculum to bolster our efforts in championing student success — and better train students for broad geological careers in environmental, energy, and engineering industries. A very limited number of geosciences programs integrate experience with ML/AI into their curriculum. Combining tools that make use of ML/AI and laboratories capable of maximizing a new depth of student learning with these tools, MU will be positioned amongst a select few programs capable of providing these experiential learning opportunities and positioning our graduates at the cutting-edge of the geosciences workforce. Here, for the Mizzou Forward Student Success Enhancement Proposal call, we are seeking to acquire both classroom and modern instrumentation/lab tools to develop datasets that students can use for the application of ML/AI algorithms.
Industrial and Systems Engineering	Jim Noble	This proposal represents an integrated approach to upgrading the technology platform for almost half of the Industrial and Systems Engineering undergraduate curriculum. Three key technologies are being requested: small, autonomous vehicles; a small drone fleet; and mix reality / augmented reality equipment. The combination of these technologies will impact ISE 1000, 2030, 3500/3505, 3810, 4210, 4370, 4410, 4565, and 4610, of which all but ISE 4370 and 4565 is a required ISE course. These technologies will support the integration of internet of things / sensor data to support algorithm. development, combined with augmented reality decision training and decision making.
Social Work	Aaron Thompson	The School of Social Work (SSW) is seeking new classroom technology for Clark 531 and Clark 737, two social work classrooms used by our Bachelor Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and PhD programs and that also serve as meeting rooms for committees that include student representatives.
Civil & Environmental Engineering	James Kereri	We propose purchasing this equipment for our program to better train future professionals and position us as leaders in preparing the next generation.
Health Sciences	Lexi Wolkow	Meeting Room Update for our current recruitment room to be ZOOM enabled and support the needs of all our student success units – recruitment, advising, career services, and student access & scholars initiatives.
Chemical & Biomedical Engineering	Kevin Gillis	Lafferre Hall has a number of study and gathering places for students, including within some departments. However, the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering (ChBME) does not have such a location for students. We propose developing a student meeting space in an underutilized area outside of Lafferre Hall rooms W2060/W2061. This would include comfortable seating and tables where students can informally interact, study and relax. New graduate student offices are currently being set up immediately adjacent to this area, thus such a gathering space would promote informal interactions between graduate and undergraduate students.
Civil & Environmental Engineering	Yaw Adu-Gyamfi	The proposal seeks funding to upgrade ZOUTRANS laboratory with new technologies that will enable it to support active student learning, college recruitment activities, and future workforce development. Specifically, we seek to integrate modern technologies such as vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication systems, drones, edge computing devices, autonomous Jetbots and other accessories for training students in using AI to design and develop smart cities.
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science	Kamrul Islam	This project aims to establish a semiconductor/MEMS laboratory to support multiple semiconductor and MEMS/BioMEMS courses, including ECE4640/7640 MEMS Lab, ECE 4670/7670 Microelectronic Fabrication, ECE4620/ECE7620 Introduction to BioMEMS, ECE 4880 Micro/Nano Systems, and ECE8620 Advanced MEMS courses. The current MEMS laboratory lacks essential equipment, rendering effective training impossible.
Missouri Review	Kylan Rice	The Missouri Review proposes to develop a digital archive of conversations with writers, editors, and marketers to enhance the experience of graduate and undergraduate students of the Missouri Review Internship in Literary Publishing (ENGL 4950/7950). A series of recorded presentations would enable students to learn directly from industry professionals with cutting-edge insight into the production and circulation of contemporary literature.
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science	Prasad Calyam	We are requesting funding for AWS cloud infrastructure and resource development costs involving graduate student support to develop and deliver learning modules for teaching and training instructor and students on AI literacy and ethics.
Veterinary Medicine	Leah Cohn	The University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine (MU CVM) proposes the use of MizzouForward Student Success Enhancement funding to enhance our Shelter Medicine teaching program. The projects outlined here will directly impact and enhance the education of every student in the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) professional degree curriculum for many years to come.
Veterinary Medicine	Leah Cohn	The University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) seeks funding from the MizzouForward Student Success Enhancement Grants to enhance the audio-visual infrastructure of the E126 auditorium in the Veterinary Medicine Building (VMB).
Veterinary Medicine	Leah Cohn	The University of Missouri’s College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) seeks funding from the MizzouForward Student Success Enhancement Grants to enhance the audio-visual infrastructure of Room E125 – Adams Conference Center – in the Veterinary Medicine Building (VMB).
Chemistry	Justin Walensky	This proposal respectfully requests funds to purchase our four gas chromatographs to be used in our organic and quantitative analysis teaching laboratories. These instruments are used extensively in the chemical industry so having students trained on the preparation and loading of samples as well as data analysis will make them more career ready as they graduate and look for job opportunities.
Arts & Science	Justin Walensky	This collective of Faculty and Staff from across departments within the College of Arts & Sciences and multiple units on campus is requesting support for the purchase of instrumentation that will enhance teaching capabilities and broaden student learning outcomes in the interdisciplinary area of archaeological and heritage sciences. The acquisition of this instrumentation, and its implementation in undergraduate and graduate-level teaching, will provide students with a competitive advantage in multiple career sectors in chemistry, archaeology, and museum studies.
University Libraries	Diane Johnson	Buy more e-books to support student research and learning.
Electrical Engineering & Computer Science	Yi Shang	In this project, we aim to advance the state-of-the-art in student support and campus climate assessment by developing a TigerGPT system, consisting of three AI chatbots tailored to MU students: 1) a Q&A Chatbot for answering student questions based on information available on MU websites and other sources, 2) a Survey Chatbot for collecting student feedback about academic study and campus life through user-friendly conversations, and 3) a Data Analysis Chatbot for analyzing and summarizing student questions from the Q&A Chatbot and student feedback from the Survey Chatbot to assess student concerns and satisfaction, and identify issues needed to be addressed and places for improvement.
Naval Science	Thomas Ulmer	Crowder Hall is the primary space where we conduct our training. This space gives us the area and resources that we need for our training, and we are now looking to improve our space to enhance our student training and success and increase our effectiveness.
Teaching for Learning Center	Tori Mondelli	Provide a calming, safe opportunity for hesitant faculty to explore teaching and learning with AI, the T4LC will host two complementary offerings to accommodate as many MU educators as possible.
University Libraries	Megan Ballengee Jill Kline	The Wellbeing Book Collection will consist of approximately 300 new, physical books to be purchased and located in a highly visible location on the first floor of Ellis Library colonnade, close to library service desks, exhibits and the Bookmark Cafe.
Undergraduate Research	Linda Blockus	Therefore we propose a new program for KC Scholars which will provide a structured pathway to part-time jobs with faculty mentors and a purposeful peer community to provide support for the new undergraduate researchers: Undergraduate Research Circles.
Enrollment Management	Chrissy Kinter	We are seeking funding from the MizzouForward Student Success Enhancement grant program to support an investment in improving the infrastructure in this key student services space.
Law	Cynthia Bassett	The Courtroom badly needs major updates in its technology and furnishings. The furnishings are original to the building of Hulston Hall in 1989.
Learning Center	Chris Dobbs	The investment will fund a pilot program for Supplemental Instruction as recommended by the National Institute for Student Success, professional development for staff to develop additional expertise in best practices, and technology to improve student learning. These efforts will support the goals of Mizzou’s Strategic Plan through a direct, positive impact on student success in the areas of pass rate of high-DFW courses, retention to the second term, first-year retention rate, and, by extension, four- and six-year graduation rates.
Food, Nutrition & Exercise Sciences	Bryan Garton	Enhancement funds are requested to update and replace critical equipment in the Food Science teaching laboratory.
Plant Science & Technology	Bryan Garton	The Division of Plant Science & Technology (DPST) proposes to establish a digital teaching lab uniquely equipped to train the next generation of plant scientists using an existing teaching lab space in the Agricultural Engineering Building.
Natural Resources	Bryan Garton	Completed in 1999, ABNR is now 25 years old, and our primary teaching lab for wildlife science (ABNR 121) is as well. The current state of the equipment allows for curriculum delivery, but with decidedly 20th Century technology. With this proposal, we seek to acquire updated facilities in ABNR 121.
Natural Resources	Bryan Garton	This proposal requests funding to upgrade the current building infrastructure, and update equipment for teaching purposes at the site. The vision behind this proposal is to allow students to have hands-on experience with weather and environmental measuring systems, and to understand how those observations inform the larger environmental science enterprise. Our goal is to modernize ACES as a field classroom, making the structure more presentable for both students and the public (during outreach/extension activities) while adding multiple updated scientific tools to explore and measure the air, soil, and water around us.
Engineering & Information Technology	Hani Salim	This proposal is for supplementing the new Engineering Technology (ET) program’s hydraulics and pneumatics laboratory (Fluid Power Laboratory) with the purchase of a state-of-the-art hydraulics training system and a pneumatics training system capable of modern industry-standard electrical control.
Engineering & Information Technology	Hani Salim	This proposal aims to enhance the learning experience for students by upgrading the XR technologies available within the department.
Engineering & Information Technology	Hani Salim	This proposal outlines the need for purchasing servers to be housed at the campus IT Data Center. The primary objective is to host virtual operating systems with applications accessible remotely by students. This initiative will enable the creation of virtual machines (VMs) for individual students, providing them with root access in a secure, containerized environment. The deployment of these servers is critical in supporting student success in both classroom learning and undergraduate research across multiple disciplines.
Engineering & Information Technology	Hani Salim	The current testing environment for this is INFOTC 3650 – Leadership Frameworks and Ethics in Information Technology. The course already utilizes current case studies to discuss the uses of such technologies. It is our goal to develop a chat “bot” that will interact with the students, focusing only on the course material for our class, and assist in both the discussions and reinforcement of principles. Data from this experience can be used to better inform the creation of a more widely accepted model for use of this technology in the classroom – regardless of subject.
Undergraduate Studies & Director of Student Communication	Jim Spain and Megan Silvey	The recent NISS recommendations and student success strategic plan both highlight the need for student success resources to be easily accessible to students. From academic advising, to finding community, to getting the services and resources needed to succeed, students need simple, on-demand access to information. Further, the NISS recommendations illustrated the need for more centralized, coordinated communications approaches to help students prioritize the information they need to be successful at the university.
Chemical & Biomedical Engineering	Kevin Gillis	In this proposal, we seek funds to upgrade the lab facilities to expand research and educational opportunities of emerging concerns related to environmental pollution, conservation, and renewable energy transition for smallholder farmers.
Visual Studies	Lee Ann Garrison	The Collaborate. Innovate. Create. (CIC 2.0) will be a flexible, open studio design that allows for a variety of spaces for interaction and creativity to take place. The space allows students and instructors to move around, enabling social interaction and collaboration. Working and designing in this renovated space moves the students from a traditional computer classroom/lab environment towards a professional design studio space, creating a better sense of community and student engagement.
Statistics	Christopher Wikle	Renovate space and acquire technology for a new undergraduate statistics research center to enhance undergraduate statistics research, AI training, and retention.
Visual Studies	Lee Ann Garrison	Classroom Upgrades for new Digital Storytelling (DST) Animation lab classroom (A&S 40)
Psychological Science	Debora Bell	This application requests funding to help support creation of an Electrophysiology Teaching Lab (ELT). The equipment requested here would focus on EEG (electroencephalogram) research methods, enabling students to observe and practice collecting, understanding, and analyzing EEG data, thereby gaining valuable hands-on experience in a common method of neuroscience research and application. The Teaching Lab would also be compatible with other psychophysiological methods, equipment, and software available and proximal to the Teaching Lab, facilitating training in coordinated psychophysiology research methods (e.g., using EMG, electromyography; EDA, electrodermal activity/skin conductance; ECG, electrocardiogram; heart rate, respiration, etc.).
Physics & Astronomy	Paul Miceli	Request for funds to renovate and upgrade the Reese Optics Laboratory.
Air Force ROTC	Major Benjamin Brabec	The Department of Aerospace Studies requests campus student success funding for the purchase of flight simulator training equipment. Dozens of cadets at the University of Missouri are striving to become aviators for the Department of Defense, but do not have financial means to gain valuable flight training in a real aircraft. Adding flight simulators offers realistic and cost-effective training. They facilitate hands-on experience with numerous scenarios, enhancing decision-making and problem-solving abilities crucial for real-world missions. Additionally, the simulators enable practice of emergency procedures, and dual operator missions, improving teamwork, effective communications, and preparedness for unforeseen challenges. Overall, adding flight simulators enhances training for all service cadets seeking an aviation career field by bolstering their competence and confidence, while saving the student time and money.
Theatre	Miriam Hedges	The following proposal outlines the inspection of the rigging and fly system in the Rhynsburger Theatre with the intent to repair, replace, and upgrade the system. The last time this was done fully was 1991.
Architectural Studies	Lyria Bartlett	The goal of this proposal is to create a collaborative and flexible learning space – upgrading the building infrastructure in 146 Stanley Hall (physical space, construction package) – to offer opportunities for students and faculty to experience media-rich visualizations, simulations, and artificial intelligence (AI) experiments. The completion of this space will fulfill our commitment to a Donor for enhanced digital learning opportunities, help us with our upcoming accreditation facilities assessments, and accommodate our growing student population and faculty team with a flexible space for small (up to 12), medium (up to 30) or large groups (up to 60).
Biological Sciences & Honors College	David Schulz	To accommodate the increase in demand and the loss of the space in the LSC, we will need use two teaching labs going forward; Tucker Hall Room 6 (spring semesters) and Stewart Hall Room 235 (fall semesters). In addition to the Biological Sciences sections, GenHon sections will be offered each semester in these lab spaces. Thus, it is necessary to outfit both teaching spaces with equipment sufficient for 6-8 sections of 24 students per semester (~150 students per semester). The equipment currently found in LSC 125 will be used but cannot fulfill the needs to equip both labs adequately.
Anthropology	Todd Vanpool	The Department of Anthropology requests funding from the MizzouForward Student Success Enhancement Grants to improve Swallow Hall 210, our teaching and research laboratory. The funds will be used to purchase replacements for broken and aging chairs and tables and to purchase research-quality skeletal casts of primate skeletons and fossil hominids.
Geography	Mark Palmer	The MU Department of Geography request funding to support the modernization and implementation of a cutting-edge geographic information systems (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) laboratory to enhance undergraduate and graduate student learning and career experiences. Funding provided by the Mizzou Forward Student Success Enhancement Grant would support the purchase of high-performance GIS/RS computing, monitors, a scanner plotter, ArcGIS servers, and global positioning system receivers. Implementation of this technology will enhance student success in the classroom and prepare students for the evolving GIS/RS job market. Students in A&S, CAFNR, Engineering, Journalism, Business, and Education will benefit from the investment. We are requesting funds to modernize the laboratory.
College of Engineering	Roger Fales	We propose developing an online interactive training module that will allow new students to complete the training at their convenience and will allow us to require annual training for all students working in engineering labs. Environmental Health & Safety supports this proposal and will collaborate with the College to develop training content to ensure it is consistent with prior in-person training and that the training continues to align with and support ABET accreditation requirements. After proving the concept in the College of Engineering, we will make the virtual training available for other departments at MU that operate machine shops.
College of Engineering	Roger Fales	An engineering education requires students have access to reliable technology to support an accessible and collaborative workspace. The A/V equipment in Lafferre Hall C1205 and C1206 has been having reliability issues that make it difficult to host an effective learning environment. This classroom/computer lab was specifically built to help students gain access to better and faster technology and promotes a more collaborative environment.
College of Engineering	Roger Fales	Proposes to create an engaging and immersive one-week summer camp to equip students with valuable experience and understanding of core engineering concepts. The goal is to strengthen their knowledge of math, physics and chemistry to prepare them for Mizzou Engineering degree programs. This camp would allow students to experience our state-of-the-art classrooms and labs, as well as the Mizzou campus, and build connections to current Mizzou students.
Government and Public Affairs	Lael Keiser	Our initiative seeks to enrich the academic landscape by introducing a specialized data science curriculum for students within the spheres of political science, public policy, and the broader social sciences.
Academic Pathways	Evan White	This proposal requests funding to allow the Student Success Center (SSC) to purchase upgraded equipment for a projector currently installed in the main floor space. Specifically, funding is being requested for a new projector as well as updated ceiling speakers and appropriate wiring and cabling to support the standards of electronic devices currently in service including requirements related to audio and video playback (HDMI and USB-C).
Graduate Research Education	Gillian Bartlett	The GREO proposes the MU ResearchMatching for Student Success application (“Research Match App”) that will be a user-friendly smart device application to match students who hope to gain research exposure and training with faculty wanting to mentor or hire students to work on research projects.
MU Connect	Rachel Orr & Ashli Grabau	We are requesting Student Success Enhancement Grant funding to cover a one-year contract for the iClicker Insights Survey. We utilize iClicker Insights Survey (branded New Student Check-in on our campus) for outreach to new FTC and transfer students and connect them with staff and resources for support. Our current contract expires in June 2024, and this grant would support another year with a contract to continue using the survey tool.
Information Science & Learning Technologies	Cynthia Dudenhoffer	We propose to enhance staffing and technology access within the lab and to directly support the 120+ students each semester enrolled in ISLT 2467 “Inquiry into Empowering Students with Technology.
Learning Teaching Curriculum	Laura Zangori, Ayca Fackler, Gary Wright and Sam Otten	In this proposal, we contend that refurbishing this space, alongside updating the science equipment and materials, will enhance our capacity to recruit and retain science education students, will significantly improve the experiences of all undergraduate students preparing to be future teachers in our middle school science, secondary science, elementary, and early childhood teacher education programs, and will enhance our grant collaboration opportunities.
Physical Therapy	Kyle Gibson	Exercise and Laboratory Equipment: Purchase strength and conditioning (S&C) exercise and lab equipment to enhance student engagement and experiential learning in the Fitness Programming and Management (FPM) Laboratory Training Facility.
Honors College	Michelle Teti	The Honors College is requesting funds for laboratory supplies (e.g., tools, equipment) that can enhance teaching and learning in the Science Series courses. This proposal outlines the need for investment, the specific impact on student success, and the proposed plan for utilization.
Undergraduate Studies	Jim Spain	In order to design, implement and support this new required seminar, the course will need to have an individual responsible for supporting the course and instructors.
Pathology & Anatomical Sciences	Shellaine Frazier	The Division of Anatomical Sciences has developed a plan to increase student success and engagement by integrating innovative technologies into our curriculum to complement traditional anatomy lab teaching techniques.
Career Center	Laura Peiter	We would like to promote career initiatives and campus collaboration by outfitting our MU Career Center student service area and two small-medium conference rooms with enhanced audio-visual equipment. This includes televisions, cameras, and microphones to host student presentations, events, and meetings. For the student service area, we regularly host events sponsored by our office, colleagues in the Student Success Center, and career services offices across campus.
Marketing	Shaoming Zou & Katie Essing	This initiative aims to embrace the growing demand for digital marketing and analytical skills in the business landscape. Students must be equipped with direct digital experience gained by working with industry partners and using the latest digital tools. Our vision is to create digital marketing excellence, elevating Trulaske College of Business and the University of Missouri as a national cutting-edge digital training institute with experiential learning.
Marketing	Anthony Vatterott	Investment in the procurement of Apple Vision Pro Headsets for the Trulaske Center for Sales and Customer Development.
Information Science & Learning Technologies	Rose Marra	The goal of the project is to apply the Missouri Method to students interested in game development, providing them with hands-on classroom interaction, cutting-edge research opportunities, professional mentorship, and access to industry-standard resources to prepare them for successful careers in the gaming industry while fostering interdisciplinary creativity, innovation, and collaboration. The renovation of the Adroit Game Studio – (adroit.missouri.edu) – from a research lab to a student space will be the nexus of creating these student opportunities.
Teaching for Learning Center	Tori Mondelli	The NextGen Tech Exploration Sandbox, distinct from the University of Missouri’s more exclusive VR/AR spaces, offers an open-access arena for a broad spectrum of graduate students. This innovative space will be available at the Teaching for Learning Center allowing direct interaction with advanced VR/AR technologies. It’s designed for hands-on experimentation and creative thinking, fostering a technological makerspace culture where students are encouraged to explore new technological applications and integrations in their respective fields.
Campus Writing Program, Office of Service Learning, Office of Undergraduate Research, and Freshmen Interest Group Program	Graham McCaulley	This proposal seeks one-time funds to implement a comprehensive faculty development program and pilot initiative across four university offices: Campus Writing Program, Office of Service Learning, Office of Undergraduate Research, and Freshmen Interest Group Program. The aim is to enhance High Impact Practices (HIPs) formally within courses designated as Service Learning (SL), Writing Intensive (WI), Research Intensive (RI), or part of a Freshmen Interest Group (FIG) through a summer course development retreat and teaching stipend to deliver HIP-aligned (SL, WI, RI, FIG) courses and participate in an ongoing quality control pilot.
Animal Sciences	Marci Crosby	This proposal focuses on supporting needs at our monogastric teaching facilities – the Equine Teaching Facility, the Swine Teaching Center, and the Rocheford Turkey Farm (which also houses chickens for teaching). Our request promotes upgrades to facilities and equipment to aid in recruitment of incoming students and mirror what they will experience in our career field after graduation.
Undergraduate Studies	Jim Spain	In order to manage and support the peer learning assistants, we will hire a student coordinator who will report to the course coordinator.
Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences	Carla Allen	The Radiography Program seeks funding from a MizzouForward Student Success Enhancement Grant to upgrade equipment in the x-ray production and measurement laboratory, in order to promote student self-efficacy in bedside, intra-operative and trauma radiography, improve understanding of image features afforded by different types of digital detector systems, and facilitate the assessment and characterization of the X-ray beam necessary to accurate adjustment of equipment settings.
Human Resources	Melinda Adams & Jessica Baker	Three interns have been hired for the Spring 2024 semester to work on the Recruitment, Learning, and Organizational Development and HR Information System (HRIS) teams. An investment in this program by MizzouForward would mutually benefit the University by allowing more students to intern each semester and allowing OHR to play a more direct role in aiding student success, our ultimate goal as an institute of higher education.
Ellis Fischel Cancer Center	Gerhard Hildebrandt & Robin Dianics	The current proposal opens this door by expanding EFCC SURF to highly qualified and competitively selected Freshmen for the year 2024, hereby providing a unique opportunity the University of Missouri to excel in educational mission and research excellence.
Biochemistry & Information Science and Learning Technologies	Steven Van Doren & Joseph Griffin	This project will create the prototype game of Emergence of the Biomolecules. Immediate performance assessment and adaptive adjustments are inherent to game environments. Logs of student responses will create opportunities for data mining in educational research. Hundreds of Mizzou students will gain access to Emergence each year. Further development of Emergence with federal sponsorship could boost it to benefit thousands of pre-professional students annually across the nation.