Chalking up another win

Texas A&M College of Dentistry’s Bridge to Dentistry pipeline program was announced as a recipient of the 2020 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award on Aug. 18.

Presented by INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from underrepresented groups to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The College of Dentistry is featured in the September 2020 issue of the magazine along with other award recipients.

“We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM,” said Lenore Pearlstein, the magazine’s owner and publisher. “We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

The Bridge to Dentistry, which is a component of the college’s Center of Excellence, offers extensive academic enrichment activities and programs for pre-K through college students to help increase their awareness of dental professions and enhance their competitiveness for admission to dental school.  The Center of Excellence was established and has been sustained under the direction of Dr. Ernie Lacy, associate dean for student affairs, through a multimillion-dollar grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“The positive outcomes and far-reaching impact of Bridge to Dentistry are testimony to the long-term team effort of the faculty and staff who diligently propel every aspect of its programming,” said Dr. Lavern Holyfield, assistant dean for diversity and faculty development, who wrote and submitted the award application.

Holyfield also cited Dr. Patricia Simons, director of student development, and Dr. Barbara Miller, assistant dean for recruitment and admissions, for their ongoing commitment to the program’s success.