Office of Student Empowerment and Engagement

A group of women, wearing green shirts taking a photo

A group of boys and girls taking a group photo

A group photo with medical professionals and aspiring students interested in the medical field

A female and male, smiling while taking a photo

A group of individuals at the PRIDE event held at UTSW

A group of girls sitting in the Explore Jr class

A group of young men listening to instructor in the Explore Jr program

At UT Southwestern, we are committed to fostering a community of learners who are thoroughly prepared as scientists, health care professionals, and public health practitioners for the ever-changing populations they will serve.

What We Offer

Health and Sciences Early Exposure Programs

We offer a variety of programs designed to support students at every stage of their educational journey, including Explore Jr. for elementary and middle school students, Explore Prep for high school students, and Explore Scholars for college students.

Explore Jr.

Explore Junior focuses on encouraging curiosity, building confidence, and helping young learners see themselves in science, research, health care, and public health careers. We emphasize fun, interactive STEM activities, exploration, and early identity formation in STEM.

Learn MoreExplore Jr Info

Explore Prep

Explore Prep prepares high school students for college and gives them early exposure to health, science, public health, and research career pathways by focusing on career awareness and college readiness. Through Explore Prep, students can deepen their understanding of health care professions, develop essential foundational knowledge, and receive mentorship from UT Southwestern students and faculty.

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Explore Scholars

Explore Scholar supports undergraduate and early post-baccalaureate students who are interested in health, science, research, and public health professions. Through mentorship and workshops, scholars will learn tools to develop a competitive application to medical, graduate, and health professions schools.

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Educational and Grant Opportunities for UTSW Students
The Office of Student Empowerment and Engagement (OSEE) supports students across our four schools through programs and activities that promote professional and educational development. Our goal is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to excel as future physicians, researchers, and health professionals. Examples of these opportunities include:

OSEE Lunch and Learn Series:
- Imposter Syndrome
- Practicing Your Faith in Health Care
- Understanding Health Care Needs of the Patients We Serve
- Decoding Emotions Using Brain-Wide Spatiotemporal Dynamics
- Engaging in Research in Underserved Communities
- Worlds Apart Series
- Immersion Experiences
- Medical Spanish Workshop
The Office of Student Empowerment and Engagement (OSEE) offers competitive grants to support student-led organizations in developing programs that advance our mission of service, leadership, and educational excellence.
Building Our Community of Student Leaders

The Office of Student Empowerment and Engagement (OSEE) empowers students across UT Southwestern's four schools to become leaders through community service, outreach, and partnerships. We support initiatives that improve community health and education, with priority given to projects that benefit the Dallas–Fort Worth community. Signature programs include the Binational Health Fair, health screenings at community events and back-to-school fairs, and the UTSW Juneteenth Sponsored Festival.

Learning Beyond the Classroom

Student learning extends beyond classrooms, labs, and clinics. Through educational events and annual observances, students have opportunities to learn about historical events, community experiences, and perspectives that can inform their development as future professionals in health care, science, and research. These programs encourage thoughtful discussion, communication, and engagement while broadening students’ understanding of the communities they may serve.