Diversity Hub

Voces Latinas Nursing Student Association (VOCES) is a student-based organization at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The purpose of VOCES is to unite students from diverse backgrounds with an interest and passion for the Latino community. Through our educational journey, unique backgrounds, and commitment to community- we aspire to be a source of support to our peers, while highlighting the rewarding field of nursing.

The Health Careers Opportunity Program is a partnership between the University of California, San Francisco Fresno Latino Center for Medical Education and Research and California State University Fresno (Fresno State) to provide support to disadvantaged Fresno State students committed to becoming competitive applicants to health professional schools. Selected students engage in a structured program of academic enrichment and social support, preparing them for admission into health professional school. The ultimate goal is for these individuals to become healthcare professionals that will practice in the Central Valley, providing care to the medically underserved.

Twenty high school students come to UCSF each summer to conduct biomedical research under the guidance of a scientist mentor. Program received the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring in 2011. This program is currently funded by the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, and the Baskin Family Foundation.

This program is offered to resident applicants and to those who attend medical school here at UCSF. Through this program applicants tour UCSF, have lunch with our faculty and Chair, as well as some of the residents prior to attending the campus. The Diversity Day program offered by the Graduate Medical Education Office.

PROF-PATH (Promoting Research Opportunities Fully-Prospective Academics Transforming Health) is a research and academic career development program for health professions students funded by the National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities. We train UCSF students from underrepresented in medicine (UIM) backgrounds regardless of research area focus, and students interested in health disparities research regardless of background. PROF-PATH provides funding, classes, mentorship, community, and opportunities for training for students from all four UCSF professional schools. Our goal is to help students make the most of the rich research and academic career development opportunities available at UCSF.

SACNAS (the Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Latinos and Native Americans in Science) at UCSF is a chapter of the National SACNAS Organization, whose mission is to promote the recruitment, retention and career development of underrepresented minorities in the sciences. SACNAS at UCSF is committed to preparing and empowering underrepresented minorities to become leaders that will have a positive impact in our society. To accomplish this, SACNAS at UCSF organizes academic, professional, community service and social activities, creating an enriched environment and support network that serves all of its members and the UCSF community.

This year-long, structured program is designed for first time applicants who believe they need additional preparation in order to be competitive applicants and for previously unsuccessful applicants to dental school. The program are especially interested in individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, underserved communities and/or from groups traditionally underrepresented in the profession. The comprehensive program is designed to help participants become more competitive dental school applicants in a future admission cycle, and consists of the following key elements; (1) Mentoring and academic advising; (2) A full year of upper division science course work through the University of California, Berkeley Extension; (3) Assistance with the dental school application process; (4) Academic and learning skills development; (5) Intensive DAT review course; (6) Faculty mentoring; and (7) Interprofessional collaboration with the Medical and Pharmacy post-baccalaureate programs.

The University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellowship Program was established in 1984 to encourage outstanding women and minority Ph.D. recipients to pursue academic careers at the University of California. The current program offers postdoctoral research fellowships, professional development and faculty mentoring to outstanding scholars in all fields whose research, teaching, and service will contribute to diversity and equal opportunity at UC.

The goal of S4D is to foster a supportive community for the professional development of traditionally underrepresented individuals in scientific research. S4D advocates for mentorship, provides outreach, and promotes discussion on topics that impact an increasingly diverse cohort of current and aspiring scientists.

SF BUILD is a program based at San Francisco State (SFSU) in partnership with UCSF. The overall goal of SF BUILD is to enhance diversity of the biomedical research workforce by transforming teaching and research environments at SFSU. This is done through activities at the institutional, faculty and student levels - at both institutions. SF BUILD activities are designed to reduce and even eliminate stereotype threat, which occurs when individuals experience worry about the possibility of confirming a negative stereotype about their gender and/or ethnicity. These concerns have been documented to lead to underperformance in the classroom, and even to early exist from the biomedical research field. Our approach is to create changes at the institutional level (also at UCSF), so that all students perform to their true potential and feel engaged, supported and that they belong. SF BUILD works across both institutions and involves faculty from different schools, departments and divisions. This project is funded by the NIH.