Jenica E. Finnegan, MA

Finnegan, Jenica E – MA
Primary Institution:
University of Nevada, Reno
Department:
College of Education
Position(s):
Project Coordinator
Current SEPA Project

I am the project coordinator for the Community of Bilingual English Spanish Speakers Exploring Issues in Science and Health (CBESS) SEPA grant, state of Nevada’s first SEPA grant. The College of Education at the University of Nevada, Reno is partnering with the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (SOM) to create a pipeline between bilingual K-12 students and higher education to foster a Community of Practice of STEM healthcare professionals and Spanish-English speakers. For K-12 participants (Student Researchers), the program will include bilingually-supported career exploration, an intensive residential summer research experience, year-round near-peer mentoring from UNR students, and community outreach and dissemination experiences. Our Student Researchers will also have an opportunity to apply for research internship opportunities in the UNR School of Medicine. Another component of the CBESS program is the training of Leadership Trainees (LT) to assist, guide, and mentor the Student Researchers. LTs will be trained by UNR faculty in mentoring skills and inquiry-based science instruction, as well as the knowledge to help position the Student Researchers as insiders into STEM fields. This project seeks to encourage bilingual students to pursue higher education and participate in science and health workforces.


Associated SEPA Project(s)