Future advancements in STEM fields require diversity in ideas, approaches, and technical skills. Since 2019, the Genomic Summer Research for Minorities Magnificents (GSRM) Internship Program has provided opportunities for underrepresented (UR) college students, as defined by the National Institute of Health, to participate in genomics-related research and STEM fields. The GSRM program aims to support and promote retention of UR students in STEM by examining the barriers encountered by these students and the benefits gained during or after their internship experience. This study assessed the efficacy of three interventions utilized by the GSRM Program, in which students were paired with a research mentor and a co-mentor who provided an opportunity for hands-on laboratory research experience and fostered a sense of belonging in STEM. Specifically, participants’ understanding of genomics, the proficiency of their technical laboratory/computational skills, and their overall sense of belonging to the scientific community were measured before and after the completion of the GSRM program using pre/post-survey data from 2022-2024. Upon analysis, there were statistically significant increases in each of these three metrics. Introducing a wide range of students to genomics may ultimately catalyze the advancement of the field and diversify the STEM workforce. Together, the improvements reflect the GSRM program’s effectiveness in preparing scholars for STEM careers, which is important to inspire advancements in science and medicine that may aid a broader representation of the population.

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