Vasquez et al. / Journal of Applied Research in the Community College / September 2023
California community colleges serve a diverse student population, including many first-generation students and students of color. As equity-minded leaders, we must reimagine community college structures that create opportunities for students to transfer, earn baccalaureate degrees, and prepare for graduate school. One such opportunity is access to undergraduate research, which scholars have found fosters confidence, communication skills, and positive interactions with faculty and helps students develop clearly defined career goals. In this practice brief, the authors describe the establishment of the SEMILLAS Research Fellowship Program, an undergraduate research fellowship for first- generation community college students. They describe the intentionality of the program design, including student recruitment, seminar material and readings, guest speakers, mentorship, research project, timing, and incentives. The authors close with recommendations for educators looking to create similar environments or programs that foster learning, community, and a sense of belonging for first-generation community college students.
