EXCEED THE SPACE PROVIDED. California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), designated a Hispanic-serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, proposes to establish an honors program for minority students interested in pursuing careers in mental health research. This effort is in keeping with the NIMH's Strategic Plan for Reducing Health Disparities. The Minority COR Training in Mental Health Research (M-COR-MH) Program at Fresno State will create a resource center providing an opportunity for honor students to attain specialized mentoring, coursework, extra-curricular professional seminars, and research training with the intent to increase their competitiveness for acceptance in prominent doctoral programs and advanced their interests in mental health research related careers. The program's infrastructure will be administered by University faculty from various departments and colleges whose commitment reflects their interest to address the disparities in mental health research. The goals of the program will be feasibly accomplished with a) an intense early research training program focused to encourage undergraduate students in partaking in mental health research with minority populations, b) strengthen the mental health curricula in psychology, social work, biology, and education, and c) offer intensive academic and career advising to promote admittance into graduate schools. This proposed program will accept its first cohort of six students to begin the two-year program in Summer 2001. The program will offer them advanced curricula and co-curricular activities to prepare them for the rigors of research and graduate school. Scholars will also contribute 1:o their community through service projects and engage in mentored research opportunities. M-COR-MH will be enhanced by the close ties to a proposed M-RISP program and a cadre of experienced faculty mental health researchers. PERFORMANCE SITE ========================================Section End===========================================
