0609C13050

The applicant does not fund a consortia.

Project Purpose:
Loma Linda University (LLU) is an academic health science university that aims to prepare students for a number of positions in the healthcare field. LLU's Connecting Minority Communities project aims to make healthcare education more accessible to students whose location, access to transportation, family life, or work circumstance preclude them from coming to campus on a scheduled basis.

Activities:
Loma Linda University (LLU) plans to conduct five total project activities. The university will:

(1) Fund broadband access (wireless routers and broadband service), provide grants for laptops, and provide more mobile hotspots for students whose socioeconomic status precludes them from such vital communication components.

(2) Conduct wireless access point (AP) upgrades to provide 24/7 high capacity access in areas of high demand on campus, such as the library, student center, and high density classroom buildings.

(3) Convert courses not currently offered online and update current online courses to meet nationally-recognized online standards, which encourages principles of inclusive teaching and learning online, and support faculty in course maintenance and continuous course improvement.

(4) Upgrade classrooms with cameras, microphones, speakers, and associated software to enable hybrid learning and enable remote learners to have an equivalent experience as in-person learners.

(5) Establish virtual computer labs to enable remote students to have access to specialized software that is typically available only through a physical lab environment.

Additionally, LLU will pilot a new inclusive teaching and learning initiative to train and empower instructors to draw on principles of inclusive teaching to help students feel a sense of belonging, ensure they can access course materials, and support them in achieving learning goals.

Outcomes:
Through this project, Loma Linda University (LLU) will increase access and capacity at the institution for low-income college students (undergraduate, graduate, and professional), increase the number and quality of online courses, and address common IT challenges such as connection issues or configuring new software. The project will contribute to greater student satisfaction with courses and success in college, an increase in remote learners, faculty who become experienced in online course development, delivery, and upkeep, and simplified administrative and self-help procedures that save time and money, especially for remote students. Additionally, this project will contribute to the deployment of a well-educated health professions workforce that is familiar with and sensitive to the needs of the local community.

Beneficiaries:
Students, faculty, and staff at Loma Linda University (LLU) in Loma Linda, California will benefit from this project. All LLU students will benefit, with a primary focus on low-income undergraduate students and San Manuel Gateway students. LLU's San Manuel Gateway College offers a passage to new opportunities for high school students, most of whom reside in the San Bernardino community.

Subrecipient Activities (if applicable):
The recipient plans to subaward funds to:

(1) LLU- Ed Tech Services (course conversion and classroom upgrades)
(2) LLU Shared Services (wireless expansion)
(3) LLU Research Affairs (award administration)
(4) LLU- SPH (establish the virtual computer lab)
(5) San Manuel Gateway College (provide low-income student access for students in the local area).

Loma Linda University

11.028 - Connecting Minority Communities Pilot Program

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) [DOC]

Loma Linda, California 92350-0001 United States

Single Zip Code

None

COVID-19 $3,323,214 (100%) percent of this Project Grant was funded by COVID-19 emergency acts including the CARES Act.