Undergraduate Education Office Unveils Fresh New Look

By Dirk Hoffman

Located on the ground floor of the Biomedical Education Building on UB’s South Campus, the office now features UB blue walls, modern signage throughout and new student-focused spaces including a conference meeting area and dedicated Success Coaching room.

Undergraduate enrollment numbers continue to climb at the Jacobs School, reaching an all-time high of 1,310 students this year.

The office is taking a four-step approach of engagement, preparation, connection and community to boost retention, according to John C. Panepinto, PhD, senior associate dean for biomedical education.

A key factor is bolstering student identity — making them feel a part of the Jacobs School community.

Recognizing the value of early engagement with faculty, undergraduate education leaders have created a course called “Principles of Biomedical Science.” This first-semester requirement for biomedical sciences majors offers foundational knowledge in human biology and will be taught by Jacobs School faculty.

In their third semester, students will be required to take the course “Your Science, Your Path: Where Will it Lead?” In this course, students will explore diverse biomedical careers, identify and access enriching experiences related to their career goals, develop supportive career networks, develop career documents and expand their science identity.

The course is taught by Melissa R. McCartney, PhD, associate dean for undergraduate education, who has expertise in professional and career development.

The office is also piloting a BiomedBridge mentoring program this year beginning with rising juniors, who will be paired with a Jacobs School faculty member for in-person meetings to discuss mentoring and careers.

To promote a greater sense of community, the office is working with the Jacobs School Undergraduate Club to sponsor student-focused events, expand opportunities for undergraduates to participate in Jacobs School outreach activities and host more events that bring undergraduates to the medical school.

Allison Brashear, MD, MBA, UB’s vice president for health sciences and dean of the Jacobs School, visited the site Jan. 14 to see the newly designed office.

“This space represents the energy and momentum of our undergraduate programs,” she says. “We are investing in a student experience that cultivates confidence, connection and long-term success.”

Kelli C. Hickey, director of enrollment management and biomedical undergraduate education, says every initiative is designed to help undergraduate students feel more connected.

The physical space overhaul gives a nice fresh update to the program, she says. “Everything is new.”

“We want students to be more aware by having some of these connections and making it feel more like UB with the Jacobs School name on signage, making them aware that they are part of the Jacobs School community even though they are on a different campus than downtown,” Hickey says.

“It is a better use of space. We redesigned the reception and waiting areas, got rid of cubicles and added a conference room space for staff meetings and such,” she adds.

The Success Coaching area across the hall from the Advising Office is a newly designed space for students and two student success coaches on staff.

“It is a space to conduct small group sessions with students. We can bring students here and work with them, which plays into retention and student success,” Hickey says. “We want students to know they have a space they can come and use.”

Undergraduate students’ research posters, along with their photos and a simplified explanation of their research, are also now featured on the walls of the office’s hallway on a rotating basis.

“We are able to showcase our students more,” Hickey says. “It is a place for them to be represented and celebrated.”

“We’ve been slowly rolling things out. We’ve always been here, but now there are a lot of new elements to see.”