Alpha Research Foundation (Alpha) established the Catalyst Initiative for Aspiring Pre-Health Students Current-Use Program Support Fund in Public Health in December 2023. This fund provides support for the Catalyst Initiative for Aspiring Pre-Health Students managed by the undergraduate program in Public Health Science in the School of Public Health.
The Catalyst Initiative for Aspiring Pre-Health Students seeks to empower students to build the skills to overcome barriers to entry into health professions. Open to all students in the UMD School of Public Health, its goal is to lead the national effort for the purpose of diversifying the student body in all manners (e.g. geographic, socioeconomic, first-generation student, gender, racial, physical ability, ethnicity) in medicine, science, and public health. The program provides enriching seminars and educational programs in the areas of increasing industry knowledge, navigating the application process, acquiring essential skills and experiences, and fostering a community of professional mentors.