Service-Learning in the Virtual Space: Mixed Method Analysis of STEPS Pipeline Program

North Central Indiana Area Health Education Center (NCI-AHEC) aims to develop the healthcare infrastructure by encouraging rural students to pursue healthcare professions. In light of rural healthcare shortages found in Indiana, they implemented a pipeline program, Successfully Training and Educating Pre-medical Students (STEPS). This program offers mentoring and educational assistance to pre-health-professional undergraduate students at Indiana University – Kokomo. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Purdue research team partnered with NCI-AHEC to conduct a completely virtual mixed method study that examined the initial impact of the STEPS program and made recommendations for improvement. The opportunities for virtual collaboration created during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed for thorough evaluation of NCI-AHEC’s STEPS program. Initial evaluation suggests that the STEPS program is beneficial in assisting rural students on their path to a career in healthcare. Using the actionable recommendations that came from this study, NCI-AHEC will contribute to a growing generation of capable, well-prepared healthcare providers in rural Indiana.

Promoting careers, transfer success and information use and literacy: Evaluation of a health career pipeline program at an urban community college

There is an urgent need for employees from diverse backgrounds in the health field. Community colleges are where many low-income and under-represented students begin their academic career. A career pipeline program was implemented at a community college to promote rigorous health careers, facilitate transfer success and develop information literacy skills. We assessed students’ confidence with fitting into a career, the impact of the program on students’ academic and career choices, salient program components, successes and challenges, and suggestions for improvement. Fifty-nine students enrolled in the program and 64% (n = 38) completed, all were minority students. Students reported increased confidence with fitting into their career and a positive impact on their choice of academic and career paths. Important aspects of the program were exposure to health professionals, mentoring, peer connections, academic and professional skill building, developing information literacy and experiential learning. Most students are either pursing a bachelor degree or have graduated with the intent of pursing graduate degree. Our experience demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a health career pipeline at a community college. Future programs should focus on career and academic skill building, information literacy, mentoring, peer connection, experiential activities, targeted outreach to male students, and facilitating the transfer process.