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The LEADS Institute is an Academic Excellence and ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúhip Accelerator launched in 2021 by the College of Arts and Science whose mission is to accelerate students' successful transition to and in college, and strengthen their potential to become competitive candidates for graduate and professional school or competitive employment opportunities.

The institute's goal is to better address high-achieving diverse students' academic, professional, cultural and social interests, and enhance their experiences and sense of belonging in the college and university.

The Dean’s STEMM Scholars Program is the inaugural STEM student success program from the LEADS Institute that targets high achieving first-year students with an interest in Science, Technology, Public Health, Mathematics, and Medicine/Healthcare majors.

Purpose: To support the successful transition to and success in college

STEMM Scholars Program student participants will have access to the following resources and benefits:

• Coaching and mentoring from the STEMM Scholars Program Director
• Dean's Office support and access to key leaders in CAS
• Mentoring from CAS faculty and upper-class peers in STEM majors
• Participation in a Pre-semester Program
• Dedicated STEMM Scholars Academic Advisor
• Academic Support Services & Programming
• Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction (if applicable)
• Graduate School Preparation and Pre-Professional School Readiness Support
• First-Year Research Experience (FYRE) courses 
• STEMM Scholars FYRE Living Learning Community (LLC)
• Career-preparedness & ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉúhip Development
• Partnership with the Mallory-Wilson Healthcare Education Centers, Research Labs and Faculty, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Graduate School, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú’s Undergraduate Research Office, University Libraries, ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú Center for Career Exploration, Industry and Organizational Partners

• Must have and maintain a primary major in science, technology, equity in public health, mathematics, and medicine & healthcare (STEMM). 
• Participate in STEMM Scholars Orientation and any other required Pre-Semester Program
• Participate with parent/guardian in STEMM Scholars Information Session
• Sign commitment to fully participate in the STEMM Scholars Program and complete required activities during the academic year
• Maintain a strong academic GPA
• Enroll in undergraduate research courses for STEMM Scholars
• Attend required monthly meetings and/or classes
• Participate in career & leadership development activities
• Participate in STEMM Scholars FYRE  Living Learning Community (LLC)
• Meet with Program Director, Program Coordinator, and mentors
• Adhere to ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú's Academic Integrity Policy
• Become a student leader

A pre-semester program is a summer educational and transitional experience that takes place before the normal start of classes of a student’s first semester at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú.

STEMM Scholars will participate in Koschik and Hara Summer Bridge to Success Bootcamp and  MADEatÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú pre-semester programs only. Please do not plan to participate in any other pre-semester program.

Undergraduate research is performed by college students who have not yet received their bachelor's degree. It can start as early as the first year in college. Undergraduate research takes place in all departments at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University. Some undergraduate research takes place in on-campus laboratories under supervision. Research also takes place in the many centers, institutes, and museums housed at ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University.

Undergraduate research is directed early on by faculty or graduate students as younger students learn specific laboratory requirements for using machines and documenting results. Junior- and senior-level students may get to devise their own research under the direction of a ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú faculty or Ph.D. student.

Summer and Winter Term field research and on-campus opportunities are also available (through an application process).

Participation in undergraduate research has been shown to benefit students in several ways:

• Students gain highly developed critical thinking skills used both in graduate school.
• Students develop enhanced analytical abilities and problem-solving skills that are used in the workforce.
• Students gain a better understanding of the demands of graduate training in their fields and benefit from exposure to specific research tools, methods, and techniques.
• Students learn to devise their own experiments. The results from these experiments may be used in their senior capstone projects.
• Students have the opportunity to write small grant proposals (funded by ÍÃ×ÓÏÈÉú University) to fund their own research projects.
• Students who do undergraduate research may get free trips to share their results at regional and national professional meetings where they can meet employers and graduate school recruiters in their chosen field.
• Undergraduate research is a "resume builder." It is something that employers and graduate schools look for on resumes because it shows expertise and independent work habits.