The ARISE (Accelerated Research into Science of the Environment) program will bring 8-12 upper-level undergraduate students (junior, senior and just graduated), selected from traditionally underrepresented students in the geosciences, to the Arkansas State University campus to attend an intensive three-week summer program that will provide a general review of Earth science topics, including hydrology, soil/water chemistry, ecology and biogeochemical cycles while performing directed research. This program is a collaboration between the Arkansas Biosciences Institute and Environmental Sciences and Chemistry and Physics programs at Arkansas State University. Links between social, historical and scientific issues will be explicitly addressed through field trips and seminars during the program. Faculty mentors from specific areas of expertise (e.g., hydrology, biogeochemistry, agricultural economics) gathered from regional schools will mentor students through cutting edge research.