Expanding Ph.D. Opportunities for Underrepresented Students

Addressing a critical need for our nation’s science workforce, the American Chemical Society Bridge Program at UT Southwestern is working to increase underrepresented minority groups pursuing graduate work in chemistry. Thanks to a recent gift from the A.L. Chilton Foundation, those efforts are accelerating.

The American Chemical Society (ACS) Bridge Program was created to increase the number of Black, Latino, and Indigenous students earning doctorates in chemistry. Historically, underrepresented minorities have faced obstacles in pursuing graduate-level education. The group makes up one-third of college students, yet earns 14% of master’s degrees and 11% of doctorates, according to the ACS. For students who might not have considered pursuing graduate school or did not have the opportunity to engage in research as undergraduates, the program offers a bridge to graduate education.

UT Southwestern was selected as a Bridge Site in 2022. It is the 12th institution to be selected nationwide and the first academic medical center to participate in the program.

Founded in 1945, the A.L. Chilton Foundation has given generously to support the research, clinical, and education missions of UT Southwestern.

View the full Summer 2022 Issue