A Model for Successful Cross-Campus Collaboration for Engaging Potentially At-Risk Students in Mentored Undergraduate Research Early in Their College Career

The authors discuss the Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) at University of Wisconsin–Whitewater, which pairs beginning students with mentors as paid research apprentices for one academic year. It seeks to encourage participation of students from underserved groups who are at higher risk of dropping out of college. RAP introduces students to mentored research, helps mitigate some of their financial needs, and gives students a sense of belonging and self-efficacy early in their academic careers. It also provides a first- to final-year pathway for students by fostering their transition to the Undergraduate Research Program and other applied learning experiences, thus ensuring their continuous engagement in high-impact practices. Preliminary data indicate that students and mentors value the program, and second- and third-year retention rates for RAP participants are higher than the campus retention rates.