Expanding Undergraduate Research Experiences for Underrepresented Students: The Arnold L. Mitchem Fellowship Program at DePaul University

In 2011, DePaul University established the Arnold L. Mitchem Fellowship Program to support graduate school preparation for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented second-year students. The program aims to advance students’ academic and career paths through an early research experience where students create literature reviews that reflect their lived experiences, are critical of society, and motivate them to pursue avenues of inquiry within their fields. The program also serves as a pathway for students interested in the federally funded McNair Scholars Program at DePaul. By participating in the Mitchem Program, students can enhance their academic profiles in preparation for future undergraduate research opportunities and graduate school.