Scholar Academy for Latinxs United for Diversity (SALUD) (2025-2026)

Background

Latinx individuals are the largest, fastest growing and youngest ethnic minority group in the United States, with a population that is projected to double by 2050. In North Carolina, the Latinx population has increased nearly 40% since 2010, reaching 1.1 million and comprising over a third of the state’s population.

Durham and its public schools have seen substantial growth in Latinx students over the past decade, yet Durham Public Schools (DPS) has only begun to address this rapidly expanding demographic’s needs. Despite representing 19% of the U.S. population, Latinx individuals earn only 4.5% of STEM doctoral degrees and make up 6% of the physician workforce.

 These gaps reflect structural and financial barriers that limit access to resources, mentorship and support networks that can enable success in these fields. There is an essential need to equip Latinx students with skills for STEM and health careers. Broadening higher education access for Latinx students involves exposure to health-related and STEM fields, diverse role models and academic guidance. Additionally, Latinx students often face social determinants of health in their communities yet may only learn about actionable solutions in college.

Community partnerships can empower students to address these issues and become change agents in their community and career. Investing in education, training, and mentorship for Latinx students is essential to addressing underrepresentation in STEM and empowering future leaders.

Project Description

The Scholar Academy for Latinxs United for Diversity (SALUD) program is designed to empower Latinx students to become leaders in their communities, at their future colleges and in the healthcare field. The program hosts biweekly sessions for high school students each spring, covering essential healthcare topics such as racism in healthcare, sexual and reproductive justice, and food justice. Sessions often feature guest speakers from community organizations and incorporate hands-on experiences like standardized patient interactions, dissections and local data analysis to illustrate how these topics manifest clinically.

SALUD encourages students to develop projects addressing issues highlighted in the curriculum. With guidance from undergraduate and medical students, students in the program will develop and share their projects with community partners, classmates, friends and family. SALUD also partners with the Duke College Advising Corps, dedicating an hour every other session to college preparation. This support includes college tours, assistance with personal statements and guidance on financial aid, ensuring students are equipped for their educational journeys.

To assess the effectiveness of SALUD in achieving its objectives, the team will employ a comprehensive evaluation strategy that includes pre-, mid- and post-program surveys. These surveys will measure attitudes and opinions, knowledge, skills, college applications and community engagement, alongside an adaptability and feasibility evaluation.

The team will gather quantitative satisfaction ratings and qualitative feedback from participants, mentors and community partners at the end of the program. Additionally, members will track session attendance and collect qualitative data to understand participants' engagement, willingness to participate and barriers faced during the program. Feedback from team members will be added to a database to assess the time commitment, benefits and challenges of program leadership.

Anticipated Outputs

Data on Latinx enrollment in college STEM programs; poster presentations; conferences; updated SALUD website and social media platforms; presentations to local stakeholders; grant applications

Student Opportunities

Ideally, this project team will include 4 graduate students and 5 undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds united by a shared interest in exploring the social determinants of health impacting the Latinx community. Ideal participants may have expertise in data analysis for research initiatives, education for curriculum development, pre-medical studies, or public policy. Graduate students will be recruited from a variety of programs – including medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, engineering and public health – to showcase diverse healthcare career paths to students.

It is crucial for high school students to see leaders from underrepresented communities; thus, many of the team’s members will identify as Latinx or from other marginalized groups. Those who do not share these backgrounds must demonstrate a passion for uplifting underserved communities.

First-year graduate students skilled in data analysis are also encouraged to apply and will lead research initiatives, edit the curriculum, plan events, and recruit and train undergraduates

Undergraduates will gain valuable experience in community engagement, program development and evaluation, and creating and delivering culturally responsive curriculum. With guidance from team leaders and project managers, they will design and lead classroom sessions, deepen their knowledge of social drivers of health and participate in networking opportunities while mentoring high school students. Team members will strengthen their written and oral communication skills through activities such as manuscript writing, grant writing and presentations at conferences.

Medical students will focus on developing research questions through individual and group meetings with faculty advisers. They will also learn budgeting, enhance their networking and communication skills with senior leadership at Duke University, and mentor undergraduate and high school students.

Timing

Fall 2025-Spring 2026

• Fall 2025: Recruit undergraduates and high school students; evaluate data from previous programs; invite speakers; edit curriculum; fundraise to meet program needs
• Spring 2026: Deliver program to high school students; collect data; organize and participate in the SALUD commencement ceremony

Crediting

Academic credit available for fall and spring semester

See related team Scholar Academy for Latinxs United for Diversity (SALUD) (2024-2025).

 

_{Image: Screenshot from SALUD's website}