The Next Generation of Leaders is Here! Taking the SOARS Program Nationally

The SOARS program at the National Center for Atmospheric Research has been very successful supporting students to enter and succeed in graduate school. More than 80 percent of SOARS participants have gone on to pursue a graduate degree and have either completed it or are in the process of completing it. The program is limited, though, in the number of students it can serve, due to funding and available research mentors for the summer internship component of the program. In the coming years, SOARS will focus on increasing its impact by working with the SOARS alumni network to expand the SOARS model and best practices to the university community. SOARS is establishing at least three satellite programs at universities over the next five years to reach more students and to help create supportive communities on university campuses. Two satellites have been initiated in 2017, at the Department for Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and in the Civil Engineering Department at the University of Central Florida. Several more locations for satellites are being explored. The programs will not only consist of research internships, but additional support for students, including guidance on giving presentations, collaborating on research projects, and writing resumes. This presentation introduces the satellite model and will share findings of the first summer and fall season of hosting students at the initial satellite locations. We will discuss how to best support new faculty in bringing change to academic institutions.