What is EXITO PLUS?
EXITO PLUS (Pathway Leading to Uninterrupted Success) is a funding opportunity from the Genentech Foundation to support BUILD EXITO Alumni impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. As per funder instructions, PLUS funding is available for EXITO Scholars & alumni at PSU who identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). To read more about BUILD EXITO receiving this funding from Genentech, click here.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, research training has been interrupted, and this funding is intended to provide additional paid opportunities to enhance BUILD research training while also providing financial support.
EXITO PLUS Scholars receive a monthly stipend to support their participation in EXITO PLUS components, listed below. The Enrichment workshops are tailored to PLUS participants academic and career needs.
To learn more about this program, email exitoplus@pdx.edu.
How does EXITO PLUS work?
- Individuals accepted into EXITO PLUS may continue in their EXITO RLC, or be placed in a new RLC.
- PLUS Scholars will receive a monthly stipend connected to the number of hours worked. Participants will work up to 20 hours a week to include: RLC hours, mentoring, PLUS Enrichment sessions, etc.
- The program and its supports are available from 4/01/2021 through 3/31/2022. Participants do not have to be enrolled in the program for the entire year. Instead, Participants can choose the length of their engagement, start date, and end date (based on the terms of the PSU academic calendar). The maximum amount of funding available to a PLUS Participant is equivalent to 4 terms.There is no funding anticipated to be available after 3/31/2022 when PLUS funding ends.
What are the components of the EXITO PLUS program?
Through this program, PLUS Scholars have access to continuity of the research pathway despite COVID-19 challenges and get to build a sense of community among BIPOC students/Alumni, faculty, and mentors. Other components of the program include:
- Research Engagement: Provide continuity in their research pathway by completing work in their EXITO Research Learning Community (RLC) or a new EXITO PLUS RLC.
- PLUS Enrichment Workshops: Address the hidden curriculum of higher education and biomedical research and improve self-efficacy and skills in a low-risk, supportive environment under the guidance of a faculty team. Enhancement of skills for successful navigation of post graduation/gap year through focus on networking, portfolio development, graduate/professional school or employment applications and other topics based on scholar needs.
- Professional Development (Optional): Access to professional development support including some funds for taking GRE/MCAT prep courses or other approved professional development activities; and some funds for technology support (hardware and software).
- Peer Mentors: Engage with a near-Peer to receive personal support and have a guide to student life and academic success.
- Career Mentor: Engage with the EXITO PLUS Career Mentor/Enrichment Lead to receive professional and academic support and be a guide in research pathways.
- Academic Advising: Maintain continuity in access to an academic advisor with proficiency in STEM majors and connections to services for scholars in crisis.