Connecting Students From a Minority-Serving Institution to Marine and Atmospheric Sciences

The Cooperative Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Studies (CIMAS) is based at the University of Miami Rosenstiel School, where researchers work closely with NOAA’s Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML) and Southeast Fisheries Science Center (SEFSC). To further enhance student involvement in NOAA research, CIMAS has developed an internship program in collaboration with Miami-Dade College (MDC), a minority-serving institution. The program offers paid research experiences to MDC undergraduate students in STEM disciplines. Many MDC students are first-generation college students, and immigrants, with over half of its student population classified as low-income. Additionally, MDC is one of the most diverse institutions in the country, with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. MDC offers Associate Degree programs within ocean-related STEM disciplines (e.g., Atmospheric Science and Meteorology, Biology, Geology), and a few Bachelor Degree programs within other STEM disciplines (e.g., Biotechnology, Biopharmaceutical sciences, Data Analytics, Computer Engineering). However, since MDC is not a Research-1 institution, opportunities for hands-on research experiences (particularly within marine and atmospheric sciences) are limited. Our program offers a paid 10-week experience where students work alongside CIMAS researchers at either AOML or SEFSC, allowing them to gain hands-on exposure to NOAA research. The program is a part-time commitment with flexibility for hybrid work, allowing students to continue with classes and/or jobs during the internship. CIMAS researchers design research projects, guide students through the execution of these projects, and serve as mentors. Since the onset of our program in 2022, we have hosted seven interns (three summer cohorts). In 2024, we saw a significant increase in the number of applicants and diversity of majors applying to the program. Student surveys and/or generalized feedback we’ve received suggest students are highly satisfied with the program and would recommend it to another student. Additionally, the program has provided mentoring and leadership opportunities to early-career CIMAS scientists, with some scientists participating for multiple years. Our internship program provides students with research experience they may not otherwise receive, and potentially encourages the transition to a Bachelor’s Degree program within the ocean sciences. It also provides the research experience needed for entry-level positions and/or graduate programs. Some future goals of the program include retention/return of interns to CIMAS workforce, increasing the number of intern/mentor pairings, and expanding the program to other junior colleges.